Rollable, efficient, low concentration PV for powering small satellites via diffractive modulation

Shahar Ben-Menahem; Bernard Kress; Vincent Brac-de-la-Pierriere; Abraham K. Ishihara

doi:10.1117/12.2030325

31 May 2013 Rollable, efficient, low concentration PV for powering small satellites via diffractive modulation

Shahar Ben-Menahem, Bernard Kress, Vincent Brac-de-la-Pierriere, Abraham K. Ishihara

Proceedings Volume 8720, Photonic Applications for Aerospace, Commercial, and Harsh Environments IV; 87200Z (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2030325
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2013, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

We present a novel LP-CPV (Low Power Concentrating Photo-Voltaics) technology well suited for Low Earth Orbit small satellites. The LP-CPV consists of three layers: the first two layers are optical redirection layers which implement non-tracking concentrating functionality and the third one is a support layer for single crystal silicon lamellar strips covering 10% of the overall area. The optical layers are diffractive transparent plastic layers embossed with micro-structures via roll-to-roll embossing. Instead of using spectral dispersion, we use diffraction efficiency modulation to reduce the amount of IR light concentrated on the crystal silicon strips, therefore allowing maximum conversion efficiency even at 10X concentration over silicon. All three layers (concentrating optics and lamellar silicon PV strips) comprise, when deployed, a uniaxial PV system periodic in the other (non-axis) principal in-plane direction. The layers can be rolled together in one compact cylindrical roll to minimize the payload volume. The entire LP-CPV system can then be deployed/unrolled in space and held in place, but can also be rolled back in order to prevent damage from solar flares, micro-meteorites, etc.

Citation Download Citation

Shahar Ben-Menahem, Bernard Kress, Vincent Brac-de-la-Pierriere, and Abraham K. Ishihara "Rollable, efficient, low concentration PV for powering small satellites via diffractive modulation", Proc. SPIE 8720, Photonic Applications for Aerospace, Commercial, and Harsh Environments IV, 87200Z (31 May 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2030325

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
12 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Photovoltaics

Diffraction

Solar cells

Modulation

Silicon

Optical transfer functions

Satellites

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years