A challenging future for improved photovoltaic systems

Abstract

Silicon photovoltaic mays have been the workhorse power supplier to satellites since the beginning of the U.S. Space program. Through evolutionary improvement they still retain that title, although a few newcomers led by gallium-arsenide are forging paths into the silicon kingdom. Concurrent with the changes in photovoltaic technology, the satellite market has swept into broad new horizons. Satellite payloads now range from commercial communications antennas to early warning sensors. Bold new systems such as directed energy weapons and global cellular telephone coverage are being developed. Meanwhile, the nation's braintrust is formulating plans to send men to Mars. The expansion of space requirements creates new opportunities and priorities for power production, thus driving the development of innovative technologies.

On power quality control center for providing unbundled power quality services

“…Photovoltaic (PV) systems can directly convert energetic photons in sunlight into DC electricity through the P-N junctions on the surface of the PV cell [66]. The DC output power of PV systems can be converted into AC using a DC/AC converter which is then used to supply local loads or fed back to the grid.…”