Solar cells on ultra-thin glass to transform energy technology for space

Researchers from Loughborough and Swansea universities are developing lightweight cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells deposited on ultra-thin glass to revolutionize energy systems for satellites and space manufacturing. This CdTe-on-glass technology offers a lighter, cheaper, and highly radiation-resistant alternative to the conventional silicon and multi-junction solar cells currently used in space missions. While multi-junction cells dominate due to their high efficiency, their complex manufacturing and high costs limit scalability. The new technology targets 20% efficiency in space and has already achieved 23.1% efficiency on Earth, with initial space testing conducted aboard the AlSat-Nano CubeSat. The collaboration aligns with the UK’s strategic vision to capture a significant share of the growing global space technology market, valued at £17.5 billion in the UK alone. The European Space Agency forecasts a surge in space solar demand from 1 MWp/year to 10 GWp/year by 2035, driven by satellite constellations and