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 degrees 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.
Retractable planar space photovoltaic array
Einziehbares ebenes Photovoltaikgestell für die Raumfahrt
1990
5 Seiten
Conference paper
English