The new technology is considered a more economical alternative to the solar cells based on group III-V semiconductors that are currently used in space applications.
Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) and US company Source Energy have collaborated on a new line of silicon photovoltaic modules for space satellite applications, designed to significantly reduce the costs of energy generation in space.
The technology seeks to offer an alternative to traditional solar cells based on Group III-V semiconductors, which are currently used in space applications due to their high efficiency and radiation resistance but have high manufacturing costs and limited availability. These factors hinder the expansion of commercial missions, especially for satellites in low Earth orbit.
According to Fraunhofer ISE, the new modules use conventional silicon solar cells interconnected through shingle-matrix technology, which allows for the manufacture of cheaper panels without compromising the robustness required by the space environment. The process is fully automated and uses equipment developed by German company M10 Solar Equipment GmbH. It has been installed at Source Energy’s factory in the state of Colorado since June.
