Solar

Dcubed has unveiled plans to demonstrate what it describes as a 2kW in-space manufactured (ISM) solar array, ARAQYS-D3 mission. Basically, a demonstration of space-based energy systems. The system is designed to support power beaming and directed energy applications and will be built together with Astro Digital. It is due to launch on a SpaceX Rideshare targeted for Q1 2027, arranged ...

Solestial, a space solar energy startup, has won a $1.2 million SpaceWERX contract to develop a novel solar array for small satellites. SpaceWERX is the U.S. Air Force space technology accelerator programme. And the requirements are for a fast to manufacture, multiorbital solar array wing concept. The organisation awarded a Direct-to-Phase II contract. Radiation-hardened Solestial says it will be optimising ...

Today's picture of he day comes courtesy of Redwire. It's a ROSA, which stands for Roll-Out Solar Arrays (ROSA), and is described as the 'most powerful roll-out solar array' yet built.

Redwire, the space infrastructure specialist, has successfully completed the first deployment test of one of its Roll-Out Solar Arrays (ROSA) for the lunar Gateway, it is highlighting. Specifically, this is for the Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element (PPE), a solar electric ion propulsion module. ROSA The company was actually contracted to develop two ROSA wings by Maxar, which is the ...

Undocumented communication devices, including cellular radios, have been found in solar power inverters and energy storage batteries, according to Reuters. There is little additional information at this time: the news organisation has not been able to discover the identity of the manufacturers affected, and is not naming its human sources. While these undocumented links could simply be alternative routes for ...

Emil Otto has developed flux gels for manual rework on solar modules, that are based on solar module production fluxes. Fluxes for manual and rework soldering tend to contain “different activators to those used for series production”, according to the company. “Thanks to the uniform activators of the Emil Otto flux gels, cross-reactions that can occur when using different activators ...

Solar-powered electric cooking is becoming a viable alternative to charcoal and wood-based cooking in Rwanda, according to a project at Coventry University. “Around 25% of the world’s population lacks access to clean cooking facilities, while around 10% lack access to electricity, with both disproportionately affecting women and children,” according Coventry’s Jonathan Nixon. “As energy systems become more reliant on advanced ...

Fluke once again has solar power engineers in mind with a pair of instruments, both true-RMS, CAT III and rated to 1,500V: the 283 FC digital multimeter and the a283 FC wireless ac and dc current clamp. These follow on from April’s PVA-1500HE2 and 1,500V 30A solar installation analyser and I-V curve tracer, and its less capable PVA-1500T2 cousin. “With ...

Emil Otto has created a range of cleaning agents for solar panels. “Photovoltaic modules must be cleaned regularly to ensure maximum performance,” according to the company. “However care must be taken when cleaning as the use of chemical cleaning agents carries a considerable risk of damage. Aggressive chemicals or abrasive cleaning agents can scratch or corrode the sensitive surfaces of ...

The rise in interest for renewable energy has led to power designers looking for sensors that are fit-for-purpose in high-voltage photovoltaic applications, observes Martin Reizner. Renewable energy initiatives are on the rise around the world. Countries are adopting comprehensive plans to reach ambitious solar reliance goals within the next decade. The trend drives new demand for equipment such as solar ...