“Dragon Scale” solar power for space manufacturer secures $21 million
Sandia National Laboratories’ spin-off mPower Technology secured Series B funding to scale its production of silicon solar panels for space applications.
Scientists propose manufacturing process to build perovskite solar cells on the Moon
German scientists believe that power generation for future habitats on the moon could be achieved by manufacturing halide perovskite cells locally, using regolith-based moonglass.
Space-to-earth solar transmission startup Aetherflux raises $50 million
The California-based company plans to transmit energy from satellites to ground stations.
Thin-film solar patents, manufacturing equipment listed for sale
A cancelled factory led to the sale. The solar cells produced by the equipment are “game-changing tech at liquidation values,” said the seller.
Organic solar cells for space demonstrate radiation resistance, self-healing
Conventional silicon solar cells degrade rapidly in space, and gallium arsenide cells are heavy and inflexible. Research from the University of Michigan suggests carbon-based solar cells could be a good fit for space applications.
Canadian scientists build micro III-V solar cells with record-breaking open circuit voltage
The proposed cell is based on indium gallium phosphide (InGaP), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) and germanium (Ge) and has an active area of 0.25 mm2. It can be used for applications in micro-concentrator photovoltaics (CPV).
Meyer Burger and Solestial aim to conquer space
The companies want to develop cost-effective and efficient photovoltaic products for space applications using next-generation, ultra-thin, radiation-resistant solar cells. Starting next year, hundreds of vehicles for space travel could be equipped with the flexible modules.
Sunrise brief: Goldman Sachs invests $440 million in renewable independent power producer
Also on the rise: Global energy spending is set to surpass $3 trillion for the first time this year. Generac acquires microgrid controller specialist Ageto. And more.
Solar array installed for mission to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa
The Europa Clipper mission will send a craft the size of a basketball court to Europa, a moon considered a potential habitat for life.
South Korea plans 120 GW space solar project
Two Korean research institutes are designing the 2.2 km × 2.7 km Korean Space Solar Power Satellite project with the aim of providing approximately 1 TWh of electricity to the Earth per year. The proposed system should use 4,000 sub-solar arrays of 10 m × 270 m, made out of thin film roll-out, with a system power efficiency of 13.5%.
