Scientists from the University of Surrey and the University of Swansea in the UK believe that solar farms in space will soon become a reality without the need for new and expensive technologies.
In a unique experiment conducted in September 2016, a team of researchers sent four test panels of solar elements based on cadmium telluride (CDTE) into space on the Cubesat satellite. According to a recently published article, the test elements demonstrated high resistance to ionizing sunlight and continued to function even after six years, surpassing the initial expectations of just one year of operation.
Professor Craig Anderwood from the University of Surrey emphasized that these results prove the viability of using CDTE-based solar panels to create large, inexpensive space solar stations that can supply clean energy to Earth.
It is important to note that cadmium telluride solar panels are not a new innovation and are currently the second most popular type of solar cell in the world after silicon photocells. However, this experiment was the first to test such batteries under space conditions. The results of the study indicate the potential for replacing silicon batteries with CDTE for future space missions.
Despite these successes, the researchers have encountered a challenge in the form of reduced effectiveness of these batteries in space. The movement of gold within the panel has led to the formation of microshunts between layers. To address this issue, scientists suggest modifying the design of the panels using methods used for ground solar modules based on CDTE.
However, the scientists are also faced with the task of developing a method to transmit the energy collected in space back to Earth. Initial experiments in this direction have been conducted by researchers from the California Technological Institute, but these are currently just proof of concept. Effective energy transfer will require large-scale satellites and powerful terrestrial receivers.