UK Announces $4 Million Grant to Place Solar Panels in Space
Weather monitoring sensors will be placed in the orbit for the first time
In a first globally, the United Kingdom government has announced a £3 million (~$4 million) grant for space-based solar projects aimed at collecting the sun’s energy using solar panels orbiting the earth.
The UK government targets bolstering energy security by providing a reliable and affordable alternative to expensive and volatile fossil fuels, mitigating the country’s carbon emissions, and improving the country’s reputation as a science superpower.
UK’s Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said that the space-based solar projects would collect the sun’s power to deliver clean energy day and night, unaffected by weather changes.
The government has partnered with data and analytics company Spire and UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council, RAL Space, and developed a sensor called the Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder in Oxfordshire. The cutting-edge weather monitoring Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder sensors will help the meteorological agencies and departments worldwide involved in planning, shipping, and flood warnings.
For the first time, weather monitoring sensors would be planted into outer space, according to the government.
Kwarteng said, “Space-based solar power could provide an affordable, clean and reliable source of energy for the whole world to benefit from, helping the shift from expensive fossil fuels. These projects are major milestones for our National Space Strategy, developing the UK’s space capabilities while boosting the economy and delivering high-skill jobs.”
Earlier this year, scientists at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) used gallium arsenide with quantum wells. They invented a multijunction (III-V) solar cell with a record efficiency of 39.5% under 1-sun global illumination. These III-V cells possess the highest efficiencies of any material system, making them the dominant technology for satellites and space vehicles like the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers sent to Mars by NASA.
Researchers worldwide are studying the deployment of solar equipment in outer space. The power gathered using solar panels in space for a few hours would suffice the energy needs of the world for several days.
Gourav Mishra
More articles from Gourav Mishra.RELATED POSTS
Government Clarifies ALMM Enlistment Guidelines for Co-branded Solar Modules
Intra-State Sections of Evacuation Infrastructure for Renewables Delayed
EnBW Takes €2.4 Billion Final Investment Decision on Offshore Wind Project
Get the most relevant India solar and clean energy news.
RECENT POSTS
LATEST HEADLINES
Government Clarifies ALMM Enlistment Guidelines for Co-branded Solar Modules
Mar 24, 2023
Intra-State Sections of Evacuation Infrastructure for Renewables Delayed
Mar 24, 2023
EnBW Takes €2.4 Billion Final Investment Decision on Offshore Wind Project
Mar 24, 2023
India Missed 2022 Renewables Target as Rooftop Solar and Wind fell Short
Mar 24, 2023
Researchers Aim to Accelerate Delivery of Space-Based Solar Power to Earth
Mar 24, 2023
India added an impressive 2.5 GW open access solar capacity in 2022, registering a growth of 92% year-over-year (YoY), according to the 2022 Q4 & Annual Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report. Karnataka emerged as the to...
March 23, 2023
Markets & Policy
Government Clarifies ALMM Enlistment Guidelines for Co-branded Solar ModulesThe Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has modified the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) guidelines and provided exceptions to broaden the qualification criteria for modules produced under agreements betwe...
March 24, 2023
C&I
In Bengaluru, a 100 kW Solar System Can Save C&I Entities ₹1 Million AnnuallyMercom India successfully concluded the C&I Clean Energy Meet 2023 in Bengaluru, where stakeholders in the solar sector and commercial and industrial entities converged to enthusiastically discuss the benefits of renewable ene...
March 24, 2023
Other
Gensol Acquires Solar Tracker Maker Scorpius for ₹1.35 BillionGensol Engineering, a part of solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company Gensol Group, has acquired India-based solar tracker manufacturer Scorpius Trackers for ₹1.35 billion ($16.4 million). Gensol said the ac...
March 23, 2023
Trending News
Mercom Focus
Researchers Find Solution to Manage Load in Solar PV & Storage Systems
February 28, 2023
February 27, 2023
February 24, 2023
January 17, 2023
Magazine
Latest News
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has modified the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) guidelines and provided exceptions to broaden the qualification criteria for modules produced under agreements...
March 24, 2023
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy that the intra-state stretches of the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) have been delayed due to various reasons, including...
March 24, 2023
German electric utility company Energie Baden-Wuerttemberg (EnBW) has made its final €2.4 billion (~$2.6 billion) investment decision on He Dreiht, a major wind project in the German North Sea. The project has a capacity of 960...
March 24, 2023
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy report has isolated underwhelming progress on rooftop solar and wind energy projects as the primary reason for India falling short of achieving its renewable energy capacity target...
March 24, 2023
Researchers at Northumbria University are studying ways of producing wireless electricity from space to Earth by harvesting the Sun’s energy. U.S.-based aerospace, defense, and information security organization Lockheed Martin...
March 24, 2023
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) recently directed Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) and the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) to recompute the delayed payment charge from...
March 24, 2023
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has devised a new way to produce perovskite solar cells that could speed its commercialization. Different layers are typically added sequentially to a conductive glass substrate to...
March 24, 2023
Saudi Arabia-based energy company ACWA Power has signed power purchase and investment agreements with National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan, and the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade to develop new solar and battery...
March 24, 2023
The China Securities Regulatory Commission has approved the registration of CSI Solar, the engineering, procurement, and construction arm of solar module maker Canadian Solar, to issue an initial public offering (IPO). The...
March 24, 2023
Renewable capacity grew by 9.6% in 2022, adding a record 295 GW worldwide. This accounts for 83% of all power capacity added last year and brings the global renewable generation capacity to 3,372 GW by the end of last year, a...
March 24, 2023
Get the most relevant India solar and clean energy news.
POPULAR POSTS
Government Clarifies ALMM Enlistment Guidelines for Co-branded Solar Modules
Mar 24, 2023
Intra-State Sections of Evacuation Infrastructure for Renewables Delayed
Mar 24, 2023
EnBW Takes €2.4 Billion Final Investment Decision on Offshore Wind Project
Mar 24, 2023
India Missed 2022 Renewables Target as Rooftop Solar and Wind fell Short
Mar 24, 2023
Researchers Aim to Accelerate Delivery of Space-Based Solar Power to Earth
Mar 24, 2023
