Recent space PV concentrator advances: More robust, lighter, and easier to track

Abstract

Over the past three years, the authors have collaborated on several significant advances in space photovoltaic concentrator technology, including a far more robust Fresnel lens for sunlight concentration, improved color-mixing features for the lens to minimize chromatic aberration losses for next-generation 4-junction and 6-junction IMM cells, a new approach to suntracking requiring only one axis of rotation even in the presence of large beta angles (e.g., ± 50°), a new waste heat radiator made of graphene, with 80-90% reduction in mass, and a new platform for deployment and support on orbit (SOLAROSA). These patent-pending advances are described in this paper.

Solar splitting day-lighting system “SolsDays”: the first beam splitting day-lighting system

“…Fresnel lens, as a refractive concentrator, has been extensively studied by O’Neil for use in SSP (O’Neill et al , 2005). In the reference (O’Neill et al , 2015), O’Neill gives the comparison of the different materials used in the construction of Fresnel lens with the lowest possible areal mass density achieved by FEP film with silicone prisms of about 0.075 kg/m 2 . The transmittance of Fresnel lens can be achieved up to 92 per cent, as mentioned in references (Piszczor et al , 2006).…”

Study of power options for Jupiter and outer planet missions

“…Since SCARLET, further development of solar concentrators for space has occurred [21,22], including an evolved version of the SCARLET system, the Stretched Lens Array (SLA) [23]. A demonstration unit of this concentrator is shown in Figure 5 [24].…”

“…Although the test mission demonstrated engineering difficulties, in the deterioration of the lens due to tearing, it also demonstrated the ability of concentration approaches to achieve radiation tolerance due thicker radiation shielding. A new strengthened material has now been developed to avoid this failure mode [22,25]. The SLA concept has been proposed for large area arrays [27].…”