Evolutionary and Game Changing Technologies for Solar Power Generation
Ted SternVanguard Space Technologies, Inc.
San Diego, [email protected]
Solar Power Generation Requirements and Approaches
• Requirements haven’t changed much over the years– Broad power range (Watts – Megawatts)– Launch vehicle compatibility and LV related figures of merit
High mass specific power (W/kg) High stowed volume specific power (W/m3)
– Space vehicle compatibility and SV related figures of merit High reliability Operation/survivability in extreme environments (Thermal, Radiation, Plasma)
Structural stability for high power arrays (the reason for high efficiency)
– Low life cycle cost - easy qualification and manufacturing– Relevance – Technology development with a clear terrestrial payoff
• General approaches to address the requirements– Higher efficiency with lower mass / lower volume components
– Modularity, standardization, plug-and-play maintainability
– More effective shielding with thermal and radiation control
Integrated Manufacturing with Coverglass Replacement
• Lamination approach for solar panels with continuous front-side shield
• Integrated manufacturing approach - mechanical and electrical assembly
• Continuous front surface and intimate flex circuit back-wiring
• Improved shielding, electromagnetic cleanliness, and solar cell stress control
Integral Cover / Shield
Higher Efficiency, Lower Mass, Lower Volume
• Near-term thrusts – Thin, metamorphic multi-bandgap cells
Modular, compact, low mass Challenge of a robust panel Assembly that maintains low mass, low volume Relevance to solar long duration aircraft and CPV
– Solar concentrators – FAST Modular, compact, shielded Challenge of optical alignment
• Game-changing advanced technology– Spectrum converting and Multi-photon enabled photovoltaics
Allows greater spectrum utilization for higher potential efficiencies Using quantum dot technology Thermophotovoltaics is another approach – multi-fuel fired?
– Advanced coverglass replacement technology with enhanced radiation shielding, charge control, thermal control
Modular Solar Arrays
• Standardized, modular approach provides multiple benefits– Easier qualification with improved traceability (less scale-up uncertainty)
– Easier path to flight for new technology
– Cookbook approach to spacecraft design – Projectized Productionized
• Responsive build/integration schedules – easy ground maintenance• Module options for environmental / threat shielding, electromagnetic
cleanliness, advanced cell integration
Deployed Wing or Body-Mounted
Application
Concentrating Solar Power - Thermal
• Near-term thrusts– Modular concentrators and optical or thermal transmission bus– Allows independent sizing / optimization– ISRU approach from SBIR for carbothermal oxygen extraction– Thermal furnace or dynamic convertor– Relevance to commercial CSP and military expeditionary power
• Game changing technologies– Dual-fuel fired dynamic convertors – solar / nuclear– Solar wind turbines
Summary – Getting More From Solar Power Generation Research and Technology
• Technology investment in advanced materials provides mass, volume, shielding, survivability
• Better spectrum utilization and conversion efficiency• Modularity and standardization provides numerous
sizing, reliability, maintainability, and cost benefits• Relevance to terrestrial spinoffs is a critical objective