A study undertaken by UK researchers has indicated that solar power plants in space would be practical and could be commercially viable. The study was carried out by researchers from the Universities of Surrey and of Swansea, using space flight test data of a new solar cell technology.

Scientists at Swansea University’s Centre for Solar Energy Research (CSER) developed new, thin-film, cadmium telluride solar cells. These cover a larger area, are lighter in weight, but provide more power, than the currently employed technology. The new cells are also relatively cheap to make.   

These new technology solar panels were installed on a satellite designed and assembled at the Surrey Space Centre (SSC), with the participation of a team of trainee Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) trainee engineers. Surrey University (which the SSC belongs to) scientists designed and installed instruments to measure the in-orbit performance of the new solar cells.

The satellite itself was a partnership between the SSC and ASAL. It was launched into space six years ago, and has since orbited the Earth more than 30 000 times.

“We are very pleased that a mission designed to last one year is still working after six,” highlighted SSC Spacecraft Engineering Emeritus Prof. Craig Underwood. “These detailed data show the panels have resisted radiation and their thin-film structure has not deteriorated in the harsh thermal and vacuum conditions of space. This ultra-low mass solar cell technology could lead to large, low-cost solar power stations deployed in space, bringing clean energy back to Earth – and now we have the first evidence that the technology works reliably in orbit.”

The efficiency of the solar cells has decreased over this period, reducing their power output, but the researchers affirm that the data establishes that solar power satellites do work. Further, the data showed that such satellites could also be commercially viable.

“The successful flight test of this novel thin film solar cell payload has leveraged funding opportunities to further develop this technology,” reported Swansea University CSER project manager Dr Dan Lamb. “Large area solar arrays for space applications are a rapidly expanding market and demonstrations such as this help to build on the UK’s world class reputations for space technology.”