3 ms·
Space applications use single crystal GaAs (Gallium arsenide) process instead of wide spread c-Si (Crystalline silicon, currently usually multi-Si), due to thei
by Kubuxu 9y ago
Space applications use single crystal GaAs (Gallium arsenide) process instead of wide spread c-Si (Crystalline silicon, currently usually multi-Si), due to their superior performance and weight.
Process of producing c-Si panels has become a lot cheaper but this doesn't apply to GaAs process.
- philipkglass 9y agoThe International Space Station's solar array is crystalline silicon: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/solar_arrays.html#.WV0s5dPytE4 https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/element... Space applications are now mostly using triple-junction cells with GaAs as one of the layers. Spectrolab, Azur Space, and SolAero's product lines are dominated by triple-junction cells. Azur Space also still sells space-qualified silicon cells (lower efficiency and much lower radiation tolerance, but cheaper): http://www.azurspace.com/images/pdfs/0002162-00-03_DB_SIA.pdf http://www.azurspace.com/images/pdfs/0002162-00-03_DB_SIA.pd... The Martian radiation environment is mild enough that crystalline silicon might still be competitive if you needed large stationary arrays. But on the Martian surface, where you can't rely on near-constant sunlight, nuclear is going to be tough to beat. (Orbiters are a much better match with solar.)