Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Recent results from advanced research on space solar cells at NASA

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6793997

The NASA program in space photovoltaic research and development encompasses a wide range of emerging options for future space power systems, and includes both cell and array technology development. The long range goals are to develop technology capable of achieving 300 W/kg for planar arrays, and 300 W/sq m for concentrator arrays. InP and GaAs planar and concentrator cell technologies are under investigation for their potential high efficiency and good radiation resistance. The Advanced Photovoltaic Solar Array (APSA) program is a near term effort aimed at demonstrating 130 W/kg beginning of life specific power using thin (62 pm) silicon cells. It is intended to be technology transparent to future high efficiency cells and provides the baseline for development of the 300 W/kg array.

Research Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
OSTI ID:
6793997
Report Number(s):
N-90-21274; NASA-TM--102485; E--5251; NAS--1.15:102485; CONF-900449--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English