Environments, needs and opportunities for future space photovoltaic power generation: A review

Investigation of degradation characteristics of electron irradiated GaInP/InGaAs/Ge solar cell by numerical simulation model

“…Until now, the conversion efficiencies of lattice‐matched (LM) GaInP/InGaAs/Ge triple‐junction solar cells have reached 32.5% (AM1.5D 1 sun) and 40.6% (AM1.5D 365 suns) 2 . However, solar cells serving in‐orbit satellites and aircraft suffer from high‐energy radiation particles in space environment, and these particles shorten the minority carrier lifetime by generating non‐radiative recombination centers in solar cell materials, and, eventually, lead to degradation of overall cell performance 3 . Nowadays, the new generation solar cells for space applications are facing increasingly severe radiation environments during interstellar missions and deep space exploration 3,4 .…”

Modeling of Solar Cells and Environmental Conditions for Space Microgrids

“…However, the hostile environment of space, which features intense particle radiation, ultra-violet photons, deep temperature cycles and vacuum, electrostatic fields, micro-meteorites, space debris for the terrestrial orbits, etc. , can heavily degrade the PV modules while reducing quickly their lifetime [20,21]. The degradation due to particle radiation of PV cells is of especial interest for scientists and manufacturers given the deep damage and reduction of the cells' lifetime.…”

“…On the other hand, the outer space conditions are more extreme than on Earth and their correct modeling is of vital importance to ensure a precise estimation of the energy and power production, as well as the remaining lifetime of the PV cells. Regarding the lunar environmental conditions, the knowledge of the topography and Sun elevation for the illumination estimation, temperature levels and cycles, dust and regolith constituents and physical-chemical properties, micro-meteorites characteristics, vacuum levels, highly energetic photons, plasma, and radiation are of great importance apart from the availability of water and other volatile resources [20,61,62]. The Moon's topography is of special interest for illumination estimation at the polar regions since the Sun elevation is always near to the horizon and relative small terrain elevations can create shadows of kilometers long [61].…”

“…For instance, maximum temperatures in the "Shackleton crater" are reported to be around −193.15 to −163.15 • C [69]. An issue regarding large temperature cycles is the mechanical elastic stress and accordingly a faster degradation of different components [20]. Furthermore, the efficiency of solar cells might reduce due to non-linear dependencies of their series and shunt resistances on temperature [70].…”

“…Nevertheless, the power generation hugely depends on the sunlight availability and temperature. Besides, the lunar dust can cover the panels and reduce the efficiency, and effects of radiation of ions and highly energetic photons represents a way to degrade quickly the PV cells [20,76]. Therefore, more investigation on this technology is required.…”