New mass-producible space-grade solar cell promises 10x cost reduction
Developed by Sydney-based Extraterrestrial Power, these thinner solar cells could also be remotely manufactured in space in the future.
Extraterrestrial Power, a Sydney-based private Space Tech company, has unveiled its new space-grade solar cell thin enough to be mass-produced like terrestrial solar cells. Estimated to be up to ten times cheaper than current solar cells, this innovation could make waves in the space solar cell industry.
Supported by the Australian Space Agency, the federal government’s satellite agency headquartered in Adelaide, this new technology is timely given the current rapid growth in satellite production.
Space organizations are looking for innovative ways to achieve their missions with improved sustainability and lower costs, so cheaper, lighter solar cells would be appealing. According to the company, its new solar cells are thin enough to benefit from mass production alongside terrestrial ones, while retaining the efficiency, stability, and robustness to survive in space.
Backed by Australian Space Agency
The company explains that the main barrier to making solar cells thinner so far has been the need for them to survive the extreme atmospheric conditions in the orbit. This includes hazards like radiation, temperature fluctuations, and vacuum environments.
To this end, Extraterrestrial Power set out to develop solar cells that meet the high standards demanded for the technology. Backed, in part, by the Australian Space Agency’s moon to Mars supply chain program, the company has now achieved what was once thought impossible.