Virtually all spacecraft employ photovoltaic energy conversion for continuous power generation. Compared to their counterpart on Earth, photovoltaic modules in the space environment face a unique set of performance requirements. Among the most demanding ones are the need to have the highest possible specific power output with regard to mass and surface area while showing as little degradation as possible under intense particle and ultraviolet radiation during lifetimes of up to 15 years. In addition, the thermomechanical stresses induced by temperature fluctuations up to 200 deg C are not to result in additional electrical degradation. This article briefly outlines the state-of-the-art design solution to meet these requirements before it focuses on current materials issues in two core areas: On the solar cell itself, which requires new materials systems and cell concepts to surpass the efficiency of the lattice-matched triple junction solar cell technology, and on materials issues concerning the encapsulation of solar cells for space use. Closely linked to these materials challenges are testing-related issues that arise in verifying the expected material behavior during extended periods in the space environment. These are discussed in conjunction with the materials challenges.


    Zugriff

    Zugriff über TIB

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen

    Bestellung bei Subito €


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    Titel :

    Materials challenges in photovoltaic energy generation in space


    Weitere Titelangaben:

    Werkstoffherausforderungen bei der Energieerzeugung durch Photovoltaik im Weltraum


    Beteiligte:

    Erschienen in:

    MRS Bulletin ; 35 , 1 ; 48-54


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2010


    Format / Umfang :

    7 Seiten, 5 Bilder, 54 Quellen



    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Print


    Sprache :

    Englisch





    Challenges for photovoltaic silicon materials

    Coletti, Gianluca | Online Contents | 2014


    Photovoltaic solar energy generation

    Goetzberger, Adolf / Hoffmann, Volker U. | TIBKAT | 2005


    Photovoltaic Solar Energy Generation

    Lotsch, H.K.V ;Monemar, Bo ;Venghaus, Herbert | TIBKAT | 2005


    Materials Challenges in Space Exploration

    Bhat, Biliyar N. | NTRS | 2005