Cosmic shield breakthrough could extend life of space solar cells

Cosmic shield breakthrough could extend life of space solar cells
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Aug 01, 2025
A new radiation-resistant coating developed at the University of Surrey could significantly improve the durability of next-generation perovskite solar cells in space. The innovation promises to make satellite solar panels lighter, more efficient, and less costly than traditional alternatives.

Engineers from Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute, in collaboration with Oxford University, the University of New South Wales, and several South Korean institutions, have created a protective layer using propane-1,3-diammonium iodide (PDAI2). This thin film shields perovskite solar cells from degradation in the space environment, which typically includes intense radiation capable of damaging their organic components.

"Perovskite solar cells are promising for space, but the various sources of radiation in our solar system are still a major threat - especially to the organic molecules that make them work. Our coating helps protect those fragile parts, stopping them from breaking down and helping the cells stay efficient for longer," said Dr Jae Sung Yun, a Lecturer in Energy Technology at the University of Surrey.

To evaluate PDAI2's effectiveness, researchers simulated over two decades of low-Earth orbit exposure by subjecting solar cells to intense proton radiation. Cells with the coating showed significantly better performance and structural integrity compared to untreated ones. The coating works by stabilizing vulnerable molecules, preventing them from converting into gases like hydrogen or ammonia that degrade the cell's efficiency.

Professor Ravi Silva, Director of the Advanced Technology Institute and Interim Director of the Surrey Institute for Sustainability, noted, "This project is a brilliant example of how our cross-institute collaborations can deliver real impact. By bringing together expertise from the Advanced Technology Institute, the Surrey Ion Beam Centre, and the Institute for Sustainability, we're able to tackle complex global challenges - like developing the next generation of clean energy technologies for space."

Research Report:Enhancing radiation resilience of wide-band-gap perovskite solar cells for space applications via A-site cation stabilization with PDAI2