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Ultralight Energy Converter Tile for the Space Solar Power Initiative

  • Michael D. Kelzenberg
  • , Pilar Espinet-Gonzalez
  • , Nina Vaidya
  • , Emily C. Warmann
  • , Ali Naqavi
  • , Samuel P. Loke
  • , Philipp Saive
  • , Tatiana A. Roy
  • , Tatiana G. Vinogradova
  • , Christophe Leclerc
  • , Eleftherios E. Gdoutos
  • , Fabien Royer
  • , Austin Fikes
  • , Florian Bohn
  • , Behrooz Abiri
  • , Mohammed R. Hashemi
  • , Matan Gal-Katziri
  • , Ali Hajimiri
  • , Sergio Pellegrino
  • , Harry A. Atwater

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have fabricated a functional prototype of an ultralight power converter tile; a modular building block for a space-based solar power system. The tile is ∼ 10× 15 cm in area, and weighs ∼ 1.5 kg/m2. It comprises a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy collector, a radio-frequency (RF) power converter, and an array of transmission antennas. The PV collector subassembly utilizes ∼ 15x, 1D parabolic trough reflective concentrators with triple-junction (3J) solar cells. It has areal mass of ∼ 0.8 kg/m2, 74% optical efficiency, and a peak specific power of ∼ 230W/kg. We demonstrated wireless power transmission over a distance of ∼ 50 cm in our lab. Analysis of the sources of mass and inefficiency suggest a path towards achieving dramatically higher performance with future designs.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC 2018 - A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC and 34th EU PVSEC
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Pages3357-3359
Number of pages3
ISBN (Electronic)9781538685297
DOIs
StatePublished - 26 Nov 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event7th IEEE World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC 2018 - Waikoloa Village, United States
Duration: 10 Jun 201815 Jun 2018

Publication series

Name2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC 2018 - A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC and 34th EU PVSEC

Conference

Conference7th IEEE World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWaikoloa Village
Period10/06/1815/06/18

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

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