Researchers at the United States Naval Research Laboratory launched the first orbital experiment with space solar energy on May 17, aboard a US Air Force aircraft.
They sent a 12-inch square-tile photovoltaic module into space that is supposed to test the feasibility of solar power systems that convert sunlight into radiofrequency microwaves.
According to the scientists, this initial test aims to analyze the antenna's energy conversion process and thermal performance.
“This flight experiment allows researchers to test the hardware in real space conditions. Incoming sunlight travels through the Earth's atmosphere, filtering the spectrum and reducing glare,” says the research group.
The researchers explained that the solar cells used in the device were manufactured with an additional layer to capture blue light in the spectrum in space. “This is one of the reasons why the energy from a solar panel in space is greater than on the ground,” they concluded.
Space solar plant
JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) announced in 2014 a project to build orbital solar plants with a capacity of 1 GW by 2030. China said last year that it intends to be the first country to launch photovoltaic plants in space that harvest solar energy and send it back to Earth.
