Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31702: Harvesting the Sun in Space: Testing Liquid Solar Power on the ISS

Solar energy is one of the most promising power sources for space missions, but what if we could take it a step further? That’s exactly what students from Valley Christian High School of Dublin set out to explore with their experiment on the ISS. They tested a method of converting solar radiation into electricity using a liquid solar panel system.

Unlike traditional solar panels, this system uses a fluid containing light-sensitive molecules that absorb solar radiation and convert it into usable energy. The experiment aimed to determine how efficient this conversion would be in microgravity, where the absence of convection could influence heat distribution and energy capture.

In space, the setup was exposed to natural sunlight, and researchers monitored energy output over time. The team compared these results with those from Earth-based controls to evaluate any performance differences.

The findings showed that while the system functioned in space, efficiency varied due to factors like fluid stability and light intensity. Still, the concept holds promise for future spacecraft or lunar habitats where flexible, lightweight energy sources are essential.

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