2023-10-27 18:35:00
The feasibility of producing affordable, lightweight solar panels for generating power in space for long periods has been demonstrated, according to new research led by the Universities of Surrey and Swansea in the United Kingdom.
The researchers reached this conclusion by analyzing the results of an experiment that, although originally planned to last just one year, has been active for seven years aboard a small satellite in Earth orbit. The findings of this study, published in the journal Acta Astronautica, point to the possibility of creating commercial solar parks in space.
In this study, thin photovoltaic cells, known as Thin-Film Solar Cell (TFSC), were installed on the British satellite AlSat-1N. Launched into solar synchronous orbit on September 26, 2016, the experiment has continuously generated energy. The highlight is that these thin films resisted solar radiation and the rigorous thermal conditions of the space vacuum after making 38,000 orbits around the Earth.
Swansea University researchers have developed the extremely thin photovoltaic film from cadmium telluride. These films have notable advantages as they cover a larger area, are lighter, more flexible and have a significantly lower cost per watt than conventional photovoltaic cells. This means they can generate more energy with a reduced initial investment.
These cells maintained consistent light harvesting performance, reaching a maximum power of 16 mW with a solar flux of 124.2 mW per square centimeter and at a temperature of 10 ºC, resulting in an efficiency of 13%. Although this efficiency decreased to 8% due to a decrease in cell filling, this was attributed to the scattering of gold atoms from the rear electrical contacts.
One of the most important aspects is that these cells have demonstrated remarkable resistance to ionizing radiation, making them ideal for long-duration space missions. They remain operational without showing significant signs of delamination or deterioration, and the data collected shows that they are robust both mechanically and thermally.
Despite the decrease in energy production efficiency over time, the researchers believe their results confirm the commercial viability of solar power satellites, provided there are adequate market incentives. The main advantage of solar parks in space is continuous exposure to sunlight, without interference from clouds, and savings in maintenance costs and water resources, as they do not require regular cleaning.
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