Silicon photovoltaics, a low cost technology for lunar power installations
Résumé
Space PV power needs, driven by LEO constellations and HAPS (High-Altitude Platform Station) are
significantly increasing, deeply changing the game in terms of volume and cost requirements.
Adaptation of terrestrial PV technology for space application appears then as a potential solution for
these industrial and economical challenges. In terms of architecture, the terrestrial PVA uses a single
frontsheet covering several strings of cells embedded in adhesive films and assembled in one single step
using lamination. This approach is industrially mature, suppresses the risk of electrostatic discharges
(triple points) and offers compatibility with several type of materials and solar cells technologies:
qualified III-V [2], Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Silicon, and emerging Perovskites. In addition,
this approach offers room for increased specific power (W/m$^2$), as illustrated in terrestrial PV where
efficiency cells to module ratio beyond 90 % are reported. In terms of materials, the introduction of
COTS components is highly expected provided that performance compromises can be found. In that
sense, radiation and thermal cycling are key ageing tests in the selection process. Experimental results
of electrons COTS Si cells irradiations (1MeV) and thermal cycles on laminated Si PVA coupons
(-140/+140 °C) are presented. The experimental results of Si PVA thermal cycling will be analyzed with
insights from thermo-mechanical simulations of the cells interconnects behavior. Careful design and
selection of COTS Si PVA components allows to reach EOL AM0 efficiencies for LEO in the 10-14%
range, with a stable performance demonstrated over ~ 2000 cycles so far; improvement paths will be
discussed
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