Space Based Solar Panels Efficiency

While the energy department is not actively researching sbsp we hope you ll take a moment to learn about this far out concept.

Space based solar panels efficiency.

In 1999 nasa initiated a 22 million study investigating the feasibility of space based solar power. The average efficiency of solar panels falls between the 17 to 19 percent efficiency range. So utilisation of space solar is 0 999 0 188 5 3138 tim. Since it s space week we thought it d be appropriate to look at one promising but futuristic idea that could change the face of solar power generation.

Low earth orbits are different. Solar panels have been consistently increasing in efficiency at about 5 annually since 2010. Space based solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in outer space and distributing it to earth potential advantages of collecting solar energy in space include a higher collection rate and a longer collection period due to the lack of a diffusing atmosphere and the possibility of placing a solar collector in an orbiting location where there is no night. Space based solar power sbsp.

The highest efficiency solar panels on the market today can reach almost 23 percent efficiency. Solar panels on spacecraft supply power for two main uses. They both include cells that are made of conductive material usually silicon and are fit into arrays. Apart from providing around the clock power on demand beamed from space the new solar cells panels and production processes being developed through the program could revolutionize space based.

Solar panel efficiency is a measurement of a solar panel s ability to convert sunlight into usable electricity. What is solar panel efficiency. Solar panel efficiency is a measure of how much sunlight that hits the surface area of a solar panel is converted into usable electricity. For both uses a key figure of merit of the solar panels is the specific power watts generated divided by solar array mass which indicates on a relative basis how much.

Given the same amount of sunlight shining for the same duration of time on two solar panels with different efficiency ratings the more efficient panel will produce more electricity than the less efficient panel. Power to run the sensors active heating cooling and telemetry. Power for spacecraft propulsion electric propulsion sometimes called solar electric propulsion. Us doe eia reports that solar panels on average are used 18 8 of their rated capacity.

So if a solar panel has an efficiency rating of 15 that means 15 of the sunlight that hits the solar panels will be converted into electricity. It is hard to imagine accomplishing a factor of 100 reduction in launch costs. What you need to know. Space solar tech is built more durable and efficient.

Among their conclusions was that launch costs would need to come down to 100 200 per kg to make space based solar power economically competitive. Overall there are many similarities between space based solar panels and conventional solar panels.