Recent research from the University of Potsdam reveals that solar panels made from molten lunar dust, known as "moonglass," could revolutionize energy generation on the Moon. These panels, lighter and more cost-effective than current silicon-based technology, could decrease launch mass by 99% when using lunar regolith directly. The construction process would require minimal equipment, as regolith can be melted on-site without pre-processing. This innovation supports the growing need for sustainable energy sources as humanity establishes a permanent lunar presence, allowing for efficient solar energy production on the Moon's surface.
The device could be lighter, cheaper, and more radiation-resistant than the panels already used in space, said the researchers.
Harnessing the Moon's own regolith could be a game-changer...by creating moonglass directly on the lunar surface, researchers could slash launch mass by 99%.
Turning them into solar panels on the Moon would require 'minimal equipment' because they can be made with raw regolith that doesn't need to be pre-processed.
Felix Lang, lead author of the paper, said that while the silicon-based solar cells used in space now are 'amazing' - reaching efficiencies of 30% to 40% - they are very expensive.
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