Energy from Moon Dust – Research at the HZB Beamline Paves the Way for Space Solar Technology

A visionary research project could revolutionize energy supply on the Moon.
Materials scientist Dr. Felix Lang from Potsdam carried out key experiments at a beamline of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB). The HZB is a partner in the Hi-Acts consortium and offers state-of-the-art photon sources, providing ideal conditions for precise material characterization.

Moon Dust as a Resource

The idea: The fine, glass-rich lunar soil – known as regolith – can be used on site to produce protective glass for solar cells. This means future lunar missions would only need to transport the thin active photovoltaic layers from Earth. This not only dramatically reduces launch weight but also makes a long-term, autonomous energy supply feasible.

At the HZB beamline, samples of artificially created moon dust were analyzed to determine their structure, chemical composition, and optical properties. These insights were crucial for developing the manufacturing process, in which regolith is melted at around 1,500 °C and formed into transparent glass sheets.

From the Lab to the Moon

When combined with a thin perovskite photovoltaic layer and conductive electrodes, the result is a solar cell fully optimized for operation under the Moon’s extreme conditions.
Current lab prototypes already achieve efficiencies of 8–10%, and the research team is confident they can reach up to 23% through material optimization.

Why HZB Was Critical

The high-resolution measurements at HZB’s synchrotron radiation source provided unique insights into the microstructure of the lunar glass material. “Without the detailed analyses at the beamline, we would not have understood the material processes in such depth – and thus could not have achieved the planned efficiency gains,” says Felix Lang.

HZB contributed not only cutting-edge infrastructure but also its expertise in material analysis and photovoltaic research – a prime example of the interdisciplinary strength of the Hi-Acts network.

A Spaceflight Perspective

In the long term, moon dust solar fields could power not only research stations but also fuel production and communication systems.
A test mission under real lunar conditions is the next major milestone – with the aim of making this technology a key element of future space exploration.

Tip: For an in-depth look at the research and Dr. Lang’s work, listen to the dedicated ARD Audiothek podcast: Listen here