Loughborough and Swansea universities have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration to pioneer solar technology for space. Their mission involves developing lightweight cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells on ultra-thin glass, a technology poised to revolutionize energy systems for satellites and space-based manufacturing.
The global space industry, currently valued at £17.5 billion in the UK, is witnessing a surge in demand for efficient and scalable solar power solutions. The European Space Agency projects a substantial increase in space solar demand by 2035, driven by the expansion of satellite constellations such as SpaceX’s Starlink and the emergence of space-based manufacturing activities like semiconductors and fiber optics.
Traditionally, space missions have relied on silicon or multi-junction solar cells (MJSCs), with the latter dominating due to their high efficiency. However, the complex manufacturing process and high costs associated with MJSCs limit their scalability. The new CdTe-on-glass technology, which has already demonstrated 23.1% efficiency on Earth, offers a lighter, cost-effective, and radiation-resistant alternative targeting 20% efficiency in space.
The collaboration, supported by UKRI EPSRC funding, spans three years and leverages the cutting-edge facilities at both universities. Swansea’s Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) boasts advanced tools like the AIXTRON CCS MOCVD system, while Loughborough contributes its National Facility for High-Resolution Cathodoluminescence Analysis, crucial for studying solar and optoelectronic devices.
Professor Michael Walls, an expert in Photovoltaics at Loughborough’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST), highlighted the importance of reducing payload weight to minimize launch costs. He emphasized that the project aims to develop a lighter power source by depositing thin film solar cells directly onto protective cover glass, enabling longer deployment in space due to the exceptional radiation-hard properties of cadmium telluride solar cells.
Professor Paul Meredith, Director of CISM at Swansea University, underscored the strategic significance of the partnership in supporting the UK’s vision to capture a substantial share of the global space technology market. The technology developed offers higher specific power, longer service life in space, and significantly lower costs, presenting key advantages for powering future space missions.
Notably, the project enjoys strong industry support, with six partners contributing technical expertise and in-kind support valued at £112,000. These partners include 5N Plus Inc. (Canada), AIXTRON (UK), CTF Solar GmbH (Germany), Teledyne Qioptiq (UK), Manufacturing Technology Centre (UK), and Satellite Applications.
The collaboration between Loughborough and Swansea universities signifies a significant step forward in advancing solar technology for space applications. With the space industry experiencing unprecedented growth and evolving demands, the development of innovative solutions like CdTe-on-glass solar cells holds immense promise for the future of space exploration and satellite operations.
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