Photovoltaic options for increased satellite power at lower cost

New 8x concentrator solar array technologies have been successfully developed and early versions flown over the past nine years. Variations of this technology range from the first flight version called SCARLET to the latest Stretched Lens Array (SLA) and its growth version SLA SquareRigger. This array technology is lighter in weight and higher in efficiency than existing planar arrays. This advanced technology was compared against four mission classes: the International Space Station, a LEO science satellite, a GEO commercial communications satellite and a LEO-GEO tug that uses electric propulsion. Substantial benefits of the SLA-based technology were shown for all cases.