Solar Energy in Space Applications: Review and Technology Perspectives

Abstract

Solar cells (SCs) are the most ubiquitous and reliable energy generation systems for aerospace applications. Nowadays, III–V multijunction solar cells (MJSCs) represent the standard commercial technology for powering spacecraft, thanks to their high‐power conversion efficiency and certified reliability/stability while operating in orbit. Nevertheless, spacecraft companies are still using cheaper Si‐based SCs to amortize the launching costs of satellites. Moreover, in recent years, new SCs technologies based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as promising candidates for aerospace power systems, because of their appealing properties such as lightweightness, flexibility, cost‐effective manufacturing, and exceptional radiation resistance. In this review the current advancements and future challenges of SCs for aerospace applications are critically discussed. In particular, for each type of SC, a description of the device's architecture, a summary of its performance, and a quantitative assessment of the radiation resistance are presented. Finally, considering the high potential that 2D‐materials (such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, and transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have in improving both performance and stability of SCs, a brief overview of some important results concerning the influence of radiation on both 2D materials‐based devices and monolayer of 2D materials is also included.

Advances in Perovskites for Photovoltaic Applications in Space

“…Indeed, several groups demonstrated the radiation resistance of such 2D materials-based systems, paving the way for their use in extra-terrestrial environments. − Thus, 2D materials (i) are being used for boosting/improving the performance of PSCs in terrestrial conditions and (ii) show a resistance to radiation that can be exploited for the realization of electronic devices/components used in the space environment. Consequently, we believe that the synergistic use of 2D materials within PSCs can be a promising strategy to produce efficient and reliable next-generation PV technologies . However, to the best of our knowledge, such devices have not been reported yet, so we encourage the research community to investigate further this aspect.…”

“…Consequently, we believe that the synergistic use of 2D materials within PSCs can be a promising strategy to produce efficient and reliable next-generation PV technologies. 185 However, to the best of our knowledge, such devices have not been reported yet, so we encourage the research community to investigate further this aspect. Currently, although PSCs can provide a cheap strategy potentially exploitable for the in situ realization of solar arrays during long-term space exploration missions, 42 there is still significant room for finding the proper materials, architecture, and encapsulation strategies that can really lead to a break-through in the use of such devices for extra-terrestrial (and terrestrial) applications.…”

An overview of renewable energy technologies for the simultaneous production of high-performance power and heat

“…One of the important points of DHC is to be used in areas with a population density because the shorter the distance between DHC and the consumer, the fewer losses will be [10]. The efficiency of area cooling systems is 5 and 10 times higher than traditional electricity-based equipment [15]. Due to the use of regional coolers from wasted energy sources, in the hot seasons of the year, there will be no pressure on power supply systems and no electricity shortage [14].…”

“…CHP technology has not yet found a special place in most countries, but in three countries, the United States, Russia, and China, it has been able to find a good position, and in other European countries, such as Germany, it has been able to grow with incentive laws. Figure 2 shows current estimates for global CHP capacity [13][14][15][16]. In Finland, 50% of the heating needs are met by DH, more than half of which is met by CHP technology.…”

Electrical Performance of a Water-Cooled PVT System With Forced and Natural Circulation

“…The PV system had an average value of electric current equal to 4.68 A, while the PVT/w_SB system had an average value of 4.55 A (about 2.9% lower). Similar to the voltage with load, the electric current was also directly influenced by the incident solar radiation and discretely by the temperature, as it affects the electrical properties of semiconductors and other components of the cell (Verduci et al, 2022).…”