New research project to create ultra-lightweight solar cells for space applications
A research collaboration between Loughborough and Cambridge Universities has been set up to develop ultra-lightweight solar cells for use in space applications.
The project, which will receive funding of £484,000 from the UK Space Agency, is focused on reducing the weight of the solar cells by producing a new adhesive free method which will seal high efficiency Gallium Arsenide solar cells directly to ultra-thin glass. This will provide the ultimate power to weight ratio, significantly reducing payload costs.
The efficiency of the solar cells will also be increased with a durable anti-reflection coating on the thin glass surface to increase the light transmitted into the solar cell. The coating will also increase power output by reflecting infrared radiation to provide passive cooling in space.
Professor Michael Walls from the University’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) said: “Using ultra-thin glass will lower weight and lead to efficient stowage of large area arrays enabling higher power payloads. Current commercial systems use relatively thick and heavy substrates so this will be a significant approvement and will reduce the costs of getting cells into space massively. We are pleased to receive this support from the UK Space Agency.”
Professor Louise Hirst of Cambridge University said: “The technology we are developing enables mission profiles with higher power payloads. Power is a universal requirement for all existing space applications including satellite communications networks, imaging, sensing, position, and navigation. It may also enable future space based solar power in which on-orbit solar farms beam power to terrestrial locations.”
The project has been supported by grant funding from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) - Kick Starter.
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 24/136
About Loughborough University
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2024 QS World University Rankings – the eighth year running – and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.
Loughborough is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2024 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
A research collaboration between Loughborough and Cambridge Universities has been set up to develop ultra-lightweight solar cells for use in space applications.
The project, which will receive funding of £484,000 from the UK Space Agency, is focused on reducing the weight of the solar cells by producing a new adhesive free method which will seal high efficiency Gallium Arsenide solar cells directly to ultra-thin glass. This will provide the ultimate power to weight ratio, significantly reducing payload costs.
The efficiency of the solar cells will also be increased with a durable anti-reflection coating on the thin glass surface to increase the light transmitted into the solar cell. The coating will also increase power output by reflecting infrared radiation to provide passive cooling in space.
Professor Michael Walls from the University’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) said: “Using ultra-thin glass will lower weight and lead to efficient stowage of large area arrays enabling higher power payloads. Current commercial systems use relatively thick and heavy substrates so this will be a significant approvement and will reduce the costs of getting cells into space massively. We are pleased to receive this support from the UK Space Agency.”
Professor Louise Hirst of Cambridge University said: “The technology we are developing enables mission profiles with higher power payloads. Power is a universal requirement for all existing space applications including satellite communications networks, imaging, sensing, position, and navigation. It may also enable future space based solar power in which on-orbit solar farms beam power to terrestrial locations.”
The project has been supported by grant funding from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) - Kick Starter.
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 24/136
About Loughborough University
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2024 QS World University Rankings – the eighth year running – and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.
Loughborough is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2024 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
