Title :
Retractable planar space photovoltaic array
Author :
Ralph, E.L. ; Chung, Michael A.
Author_Institution :
Hughes Aircraft Co., Los Angeles, CA, USA
Abstract :
An advanced array design based on the recently developed HS-601 oriented flatplate array is described. The advanced design incorporates the use of high-efficiency gallium arsenide on germanium dual-junction solar cells that have BOL (beginning-of-life) efficiencies of greater than 22%. Reflections off deployable flatplate shutters increase the sunlight concentration on the planar solar cell panels, resulting in a 30% increase in power from the solar cells. Each solar cell panel, 2.16×2.54 m2 in size, has a BOL output power of 1667 W at the operating temperature of 81°C. The full-size array, consisting of two wings with three panels/wing, has a BOL output of 10.0 kW and a projected end-of-life (e.g.. 1×1015 e/cm2 , 1 MeV) output of about 7.7 kW. This advanced solar power structure provides a novel approach for utilizing high-efficiency multibandgap solar cells in a retractable array configuration, thus providing higher efficiency and a more versatile operational design
Keywords :
III-V semiconductors; elemental semiconductors; gallium arsenide; germanium; solar cell arrays; solar cells; space vehicle power plants; 1667 W; 22 percent; 81 degC; GeAs-Ge dual junction solar cells; HS-601 oriented flatplate array; beginning-of-life efficiency; deployable flatplate shutters; multibandgap solar cells; reflections; retractable planar space PV array; semiconductor; sunlight concentration; Building integrated photovoltaics; Gallium arsenide; Germanium; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Power generation; Reflection; Solar energy; Solar power generation; Temperature;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1990., Conference Record of the Twenty First IEEE
Conference_Location :
Kissimmee, FL
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1990.111834
