SSC solar panels in Santiago, Chile. Photo: SSC

Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) installed a solar panel park at its satellite station facility in Santiago, Chile. The company has a goal to reach zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2040, and the Chilean solar park is the first of several planned at SSC’s facilities around the world.

SSC announced the 624 new solar panels on Monday. The Santiago station is an important node in its global network of satellite ground stations. The new solar panels will have a total output of 350 kWh with a production of approximately 660 Mwh annually. 

Sonia Castellanos, SSC global manager of Ground Systems Infrastructure said the move is a long-term investment and the company expects to recover the costs within seven to eight years. Castellanos said the company estimates the solar panels will cut SSC’s annual carbon dioxide emissions from heat and electricity purchases by 8%, which is equivalent to the emissions from its planned rocket launches from Esrange, Sweden. 

SSC also plans to introduce corresponding solar cell parks at certain facilities around the world. 

“Space is hugely important for a sustainable development of our modern societies on Earth. The UN has proclaimed that space services are crucial to reach the 17 sustainability goals. Meanwhile, there is much that SSC and other space companies can do to make our own operations more sustainable. The power supply is one of several important components,” Castellanos said.