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 language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC 2018 - A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC and 34th EU PVSEC |
| Publisher | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers |
| Pages | 3357-3359 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781538685297 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 26 Nov 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 7th IEEE World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC 2018 - Waikoloa Village, United States Duration: 10 Jun 2018 → 15 Jun 2018 |
Publication series
| Name | 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC 2018 - A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC and 34th EU PVSEC |
|---|
Conference
| Conference | 7th IEEE World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC 2018 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Waikoloa Village |
| Period | 10/06/18 → 15/06/18 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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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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