Germany’s prestigious Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems has cemented a long-standing relationship with Azure Space Solar Power to develop the next generation of solar panel technology for use in space applications.
For the past 15 years the Fraunhofer Institute has been producing highly efficient multi-junction solar cells based on III-V semiconductors, which can provide light-to-energy conversion rates of 30 percent when used outside the Earth’s atmosphere. A 20-year agreement of cooperation will see the Institute work exclusively with Azure Space Solar Power on boosting efficiency levels of III-V solar cells.
Solar cells equipped with III-V semiconductors can be tailored to match different wavelengths of light from across the solar spectrum by fine-tuning their atomic structure. By stacking a thin layer of III-V based solar cells, each attuned to a specific light aspect such as infrared or blue light, and internally connecting them with a “tunnel” diode, these multi-junction solar cells achieve some of the highest efficiencies in photovoltaic technology.
Multi-junction solar cells have been used to power satellites since 1995, and the Fraunhofer Institute says the potential for space application is huge. It plans to improve on manufacturing processes allowing III-V solar cells to generate even more electricity per cell area, weigh less and be more robust so that they can better withstand the highly charged particles encountered in orbit.
Azure Space Solar Power is Europe’s leading supplier of solar technology for space missions and has supplied solar cells for over 400 satellites. The company has brought their multi-junction solar cells back to Earth and applied it to concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) plants where they have achieved 40 percent conversion rates using solar magnification.
Azure Space CEO Dr. Klaus-Dieter Rasch, says the deal with Fraunhofer means further innovation of multi-junction concepts are inevitable.
"And not least, it is the long-standing successful cooperation with Fraunhofer ISE that has made Azure Space a worldwide leader in manufacturing III-V solar cells."
