FEATURE
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
WHY RESISTOR TECHNOLOGY WILL PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN
SPACE-BASED SOLAR POWER Researchers at King’s College London have discovered that
space-based solar power (SBSP) could cut Europe’s renewable
energy requirements by up to 80%. Mike Torbitt, managing director of Cressall, discusses what this means for the future of renewable energy, and the role resistor technology will play
B
y analysing NASA designs, researchers at King’s have found that space-based solar power (SBSP) has the potential to reduce
energy battery storage needs by over two thirds. However, while the feasibility of solar panels
in space is still yet to be determined, it is hoped that it could become possible by 2050. If successful, it would be a giant leap towards international net-zero efforts. NASA’s concepts, involving satellites in
geostationary orbit, would allow for a continuous harvesting of sunlight that could then be beamed to Europe as microwaves. The result would be dispatchable, zero-carbon power that is unaffected by varying weather conditions. The advantages are clear, but the challenge, of
course, is navigating the technical complexities and initial investment required to complete such an ambitious project. As highlighted by NASA, SBSP would likely
exceed anything built in space before in terms of scale, other than maybe very large satellite constellations with huge combined mass and area. So, it is by no means a given that the current concepts are achievable. And one small but crucial element of the
electronic design that needs to be reliable is the resistor technology.
REQUIREMENTS FOR RESISTOR TECHNOLOGY IN SOLAR POWER Resistors are vital for controlling the flow of current to make sure each electronic component receives the right level of voltage. By dissipating excess energy, they can prevent systems from overloading and overheating. For land-based solar panels,
resistors are also used for braking to ensure panels that move or tilt towards the sun stop when required. While there will be overlaps in
resistor functions in land- and space-based solar panels, SBSP will require advanced resistor technology that is both reliable and durable in space.
48 DESIGN SOLUTIONS SEPTEMBER 2025
A major challenge will be during the launch, when resistors need to regulate electronic systems while withstanding extreme vibrations and thrust. Resistor technology will also be needed
for the testing of SBSP designs through load banks. These allow engineers to test how electronic systems will handle different conditions, to ensure faults are identified and resolved before the launch. For such projects, thorough testing is absolutely essential.
DESIGNING RESISTORS FOR EXTREME CONDITIONS Resistors within the electronic systems will require highly specialised designs to make sure they can effectively withstand the harsh conditions of space. With increased radiation and extreme
variations in temperature and pressure, the conditions of space present unique challenges to engineers. Every aspect of the design, from the overall structure to the smaller details like resistors, must be carefully considered, with optimal materials used throughout. A challenge for engineers is designing
resistors that can handle the vibrations during launch and remain durable in space, while being lightweight and compact. Combined with this, each component must have sufficient radiation resistance to withstand
the sun’s ionising effects. As such, engineers will generally need to focus on materials that are lightweight with high melting points.
NAVIGATING THE COST OF SBSP Alongside the technical complexities, cost is another factor that has held back developments in SBSP. The potential savings are huge once solar panels are successfully implemented in space, but the design, development and launch of the spacecraft will involve significant costs. As the weight of spacecraft impacts the
launch costs, all components, including resistors, will need to be as small and lightweight as possible. This needs to be achieved while ensuring all power demands are met, which is no easy feat for such a complex project. Operating in space raises the stakes for any application, and so there will be a pressure to keep all electronic faults to a minimum to avoid project failure. Again, this is why load bank testing is so important in the development process. By reducing the need for land-based
renewables in the continent, space-based technology has the potential to reshape the energy landscape once fully implemented. In fact, researchers at King’s predict that SBSP could lead to savings of up to 15% of costs in Europe, equivalent to 35.9 billion per year. Considering the potential advantages of SBSP, it would be an incredibly exciting development for the renewable sector. On a large scale, it has the
potential to boost Europe’s efforts to achieve net zero, but the advantages extend beyond that. As engineers work to overcome the complex technical challenges of SBSP, we can expect to see advancements in just about every aspect of the electronic designs, and resistor technology is no exception.
Cressall Resistors T: 01627 33633
www.cressall.com
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