L’space industry he met one extraordinary growth in recent years, driven by technological advances and increased private sector involvement. At the center of this development lies the‘innovationdriven by technologies such as space solar cells, which play a critical role in shaping the future of space exploration and use.
This sector will have a significant impact on the specialized industrial base avionics, space launchers and cutting-edge technologies. Not only that, several strategic sectors will be affected by space development, including energy. The growing number of assets in orbit will require a greater focus on sustainable and efficient power technologies. It is therefore essential to analyze the trend related to satellite solar power technologies, especially considering that Italy is a leader in the production of small satellites.
The new satellite power frontier is the so-calledsolar cells” for space use. These cells are designed to convert solar energy into electricity, surviving the extreme conditions of space to power satellites and spacecraft. Lightweight and compact, they are essential for reduce launch costs And maximize payload capacity.
Among the companies that stand out in this area is CESI, a multinational company based in Milan specializing in consultancy and testing services in the energy and civil engineering sectors. CESI has extensive experience in producing solar cells for space agencies around the world. The Milan laboratories produced more than 250,000 solar cells for over 90 civil satellites, serving customers from over 25 different countries.
With over thirty years of experience in the research, development and production of high-efficiency solar cells for space applications, CESI is one of the world’s leading suppliers of multiple junction cells. Using materials such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) And indium-gallium-phosphorus (InGaP), these cells can guarantee an efficiency of 30%, higher than the 20% of traditional silicon cells. These semiconductor materials, particularly GaAs, are capable of efficiently converting solar radiation into electrical energy, absorbing the energy in the first few microns of the cell and better resisting the radiation and extreme temperatures of space, ensuring greater durability and performance.
The target? The continuous improvement of the efficiency, performance and self-sufficiency of space launchers. To be achieved through the positive results dictated by innovation and the growth in precision of each process. Scholars and industry experts are aggressively addressing the challenges related to photovoltaics through innovations in materials science and production processes.
Despite challenges along the way, researchers’ determination and ambition are pushing the boundaries of solar technology forward. In this context, CESI is playing a key role, actively contributing to research and development in the sector. The company has undertaken research aimed at reducing production costs and innovating solar cell assembly processes.
An example of innovation is represented by research on“Integral Assembly” (IA), conducted in collaboration with ASI and ESA. This study aims to find alternative solutions to avoid the expensive and heavy use of cover glass in space solar cells, especially in low-radiation missions. If successful, this innovation could revolutionize the space photovoltaic sector, reducing launch costs and improving overall efficiency. In the context of humanity increasingly oriented towards space exploration, the importance of solar cells will become increasingly evident, representing one of the main sources of energy in space. And CESI is at the forefront to enhance efficient technology that represents Italian excellence.