Solar energy is a staple in space exploration and will soon see a revolutionary turnaround thanks to a new study published in the journal device. Researchers have made solar cells from simulated moonlight dust, a development that could greatly promote sustainable energy solutions for future lunar settlements.
The concept was spearheaded by Felix Lang and his team at the University of Potsdam in Germany to produce solar cells using Lunar Regolith, the loose and rocky surface material of the moon. This approach can greatly reduce the weight and cost of transporting materials from the earth. “If you reduce weight by 99%, you don’t need an ultra-high 30% solar cell, you just need to make more solar cells on the moon,” Lang explained. This innovative approach can reduce the spacecraft’s launch by 99.4% and cut transportation costs by 99%, making long-term lunar residence more feasible.
Although the solar cells currently used in space are highly efficient, they are high and expensive because they rely on earth glass or thick foil thickness. Lang’s team proposed replacing it with glass made from Lunar Regolith, which not only reduces weight but also increases radiation resistance. Moonglass solar cells outperform traditional ground versions when exposed to space-level radiation. This is because standard glass tends to brown in space, reducing its efficiency, while Moonglass has a natural brown tone that remains stable and has more resistance to radiation.
Creating Moonglass is very simple. It does not require complex purification and can achieve the extreme temperatures required to melt the moon’s rocks through concentrated sunlight. By adjusting the thickness of Moonglass and optimizing the solar cell composition, the team is 10% efficient and has the potential to reach 23% with clearer glass.
Despite these promising results, there are challenges. The moon’s lower gravity may affect the form of Moon whey, as well as the solvent used to process perovskites, the material paired with Moonglass to create solar cells that are incompatible with the moon’s vacuum environment. In addition, extreme temperature fluctuations on the moon may threaten the stability of the material. To address these issues, the team plans to conduct small experiments on the moon to test cells under actual lunar conditions.
The broad implications of this study are important. As Lang points out: “From extracting water for fuel to building houses with lunar bricks, scientists have been looking for ways to use moonlight dust. Now, we can also turn it into solar cells that may provide the energy needed for future moon cities.” This development is in line with the vision of a permanent lunar base powered by near-stellar sunlight at the Moon’s South Pole.
The study also highlights the potential of combining lunar rocks with halide perovskites, which are cheaper and easier to produce than traditional solar cell materials. This combination allows the creation of solar cells with high power at power mass ratios, making them ideal for space applications. With high radiation tolerance and mechanical stability, Moonglas/Perovskite solar cells can pave the way for sustainable lunar energy solutions.
As space agencies such as NASA and private companies continue to plan for lunar exploration and potential colonization, the need for reliable and cost-effective energy is becoming increasingly important. Lang and his team’s research provides a promising solution to leverage the Moon’s own resources to support human habitation and industrial activities.
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