5 ms·
ordinary commercially available terrestrial solar panels (which are heavy when built into glass front panel and backing sheet + aluminum frame), made from high
by walrus01 4y ago
ordinary commercially available terrestrial solar panels (which are heavy when built into glass front panel and backing sheet + aluminum frame), made from high efficiency monocrystalline si cells are commonly maxing out like:
60 x 6W 156mm cells = 360W STC rating
72 x 6W 156mm cells = 430W STC rating or around there.
If they used triple junction GaAs cells or something exotic like you'd see on a satellite it could be something very different.
The same mono Si cells could be used in something built to be fragile and light weight for attaching to a giant balloon.
If it's something thin film the efficiency is probably less.
- Scoundreller 4y agoHow much more efficient does solar get at -60C? Or is it just better for longevity?
- SoftTalker 4y agoAt 60,000 ft there’s also less atmospheric absorption or reflection of sunlight also.