JIETSSP: 1,000 W/kg Concentrator Study and Roadmap for SSP

ENTECH很高兴提交这项提案，对能够满足空间太阳能（SSP）计划性能目标的先进光伏聚光器阵列进行研究，包括1000 W/kg比功率（阵列功率除以阵列质量）的要求。这项研究将为这种先进集中系统的未来发展提供路线图，不仅适用于SSP，还适用于许多其他空间动力应用，从美国宇航局低地球轨道（LEO）卫星到美国国防部中地球轨道（MEO）卫星，再到地球静止轨道（GEO）的商业通信卫星，再到美国宇航局执行行星际任务的航天器。该提案解决了项目公告中的Rev区域3，特别是这一项：“超越能源部资助的现有研究范围的太阳能发电的革命性选择。”用于太空发电的超轻型聚光器阵列显然超出了美国能源部资助的研究范围。从1000瓦/千克的具体功率目标值来看，拟议的聚光器的革命性本质是显而易见的，这比目前在太空中飞行的任何太阳能电池阵列至少高出13倍。这项为期12个月的计划的目标是：生成能够满足SSP性能要求的先进光伏聚光器候选设计，包括1000 W/kg的具体功率目标。o对候选设计进行光学、热学和质量分析，以确定光学、散热器和电池组件的必要厚度，验证这些项目的足够性能，并估计候选设计的面质量密度（kg/ m2）。o生成必要的聚光器开发计划的路线图，从该计划的概念设计到原型组件，再到功能性地面测试面板，再到飞行合格阵列。经过验证的工程方法将用于实现这些目标，包括：射线跟踪程序，其中包括太阳圆盘尺寸的影响，太阳辐照度的光谱含量，聚光器材料的光学特性，以及多结太阳能电池的量子效率曲线。这些程序已经成功地用于分析和设计许多先前的聚光系统，包括PASP+上的迷你圆顶透镜阵列和深空1号上的SCARLET阵列。o结合传导/辐射热分析模型，计算整个散热器的温度分布，散热器将太阳能电池的废热散发到外太空。这些传导/辐射模型的准确性已经通过在SCARLET军队上测量的温度得到验证，这与飞行前的预测相匹配。o质量估计电子表格，包括组成聚光器阵列的组件的面积、厚度和密度，包括透镜、散热器和光伏电池组件。

ENTECH is pleased to submit this proposal to perform a study of advanced photovoltaic concentrator arrays capable of meeting the performance goals of the Space Solar Power (SSP) program, including the 1,000 W/kg specific power (array power divided by array mass) requirement. This study will lead to a roadmap for future developments of such advanced concentrator systems, which will be applicable not only to SSP but to many other space power applications, from NASA satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) to DOD satellites in mid-earth orbit (MEO) to commercial communication satellites in geostationary earth orbit (GEO) to NASA spacecraft on interplanetary missions.This proposal addresses Rev Area 3 in the Program Announcement, specifically this item: "revolutionary options for solar power generation beyond the scope of existing research funded by the Department of Energy." Ultra lightweight concentrator arrays for space power are clearly beyond the scope of DOE-funded research. The revolutionary nature of the proposed concentrators is clear from the specific power target value of 1,000 W/kg, which is at least 13 times higher than for any solar array presently flying in space.The objectives of the proposed 12-month-long program are:o To generate candidate designs of advanced photovoltaic concentrators which are capable of meeting the performance requirements for SSP, including the specific power target of 1.000 W/kg.o To perform optical, thermal, and mass analyses of the candidate designs to identify the necessary thicknesses for the optics, radiators, and cell assemblies, to verify adequate performance of these items, and to estimate the areal mass densities (kg/sq.m.) for the candidate designs.o To generate a roadmap of the necessary concentrator development program to move from the conceptual designs of this program to prototype components to functional ground-test panels to flight-qualified arrays.Proven engineering methods will he used to accomplish these objectives, including:o Ray trace programs, which include the effects of solar disk size, spectral content of the solar irradiance, optical properties of the concentrator material, and quantum efficiency curves of the multi-junction solar cells. These programs have been used successfully to analyze and design many previous concentrator systems, including the mini-dome lens array on PASP+ and the SCARLET array on Deep Space 1.o Combined conduction/radiation thermal analysis models, which calculate the temperature distribution across the radiator, which dissipates waste heat from the solar cell to deep space. The accuracy of these conduction/radiation models has been verified by the measured temperatures on the SCARLET army, which matched pre-flight predictions.o Mass estimation spreadsheets, which include the areas, thicknesses, and densities of the components making up the concentrator array, including lenses, radiators, and photovoltaic cell assemblies.