solar cell, spacecraft power supply, energy conversion efficiency, quantum efficiency, research and development, photovoltaic effect, European space program, multi-junction solar cell, cost reduction
European Space Agency European Space Research and Technology Center
出版者
宇宙航空研究開発機構
出版者（英）
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
雑誌名
宇宙航空研究開発機構特別資料: 第4回宇宙環境シンポジウム講演論文集
雑誌名(英)
JAXA Special Publication: Proceedings of the 4th Spacecraft Environment Symposium
巻
JAXA-SP-07-030
ページ
20 - 24
発行年
2008-03-31
抄録（英）
3-5 multi-junction solar cells have taken over the lead in today's solar cell market for space. Due to the significantly higher efficiencies and higher radiation hardness the higher manufacturing costs in comparison with silicon solar cells are overcompensated. However, the development of the current state-of-the-art triple-junction solar cell for space applications consisting of the material combination Ga(0.5)In(0.5)P/Ga(0.99)In(0.01)As/Ge has been driven close to its practical efficiency limits of 30 percent. In order to decrease the overall solar array costs further, new concepts have to be developed and investigated. The European Space Agency (ESA) follows different promising approaches which are firstly related to the increase of solar cell efficiencies. In addition, ways to reduce the cell thickness are investigated in order to bring down the specific power given in power/mass. Finally, larger cell areas could lead to cost savings in the integration process of the solar cells onto the panel substrate.
Solar cell R & D activities at ESA
63997002.pdf
(535.47KB)
