Solar cells (SCs) are the most ubiquitous and reliable energy generation systems for aerospace applications. Nowadays, III–V multijunction solar cells (MJSCs) represent the standard commercial technology for powering spacecraft, thanks to their high-power conversion efficiency and certified reliability/stability while operating in orbit. Nevertheless, spacecraft companies are still using cheaper Si-based SCs to amortize the launching costs of satellites. Moreover, in recent years, new SCs technologies based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as promising candidates for aerospace power systems, because of their appealing properties such as lightweightness, flexibility, cost-effective manufacturing, and exceptional radiation resistance. In this review the current advancements and future challenges of SCs for aerospace applications are critically discussed. In particular, for each type of SC, a description of the device's architecture, a summary of its performance, and a quantitative assessment of the radiation resistance are presented. Finally, considering the high potential that 2D-materials (such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, and transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have in improving both performance and stability of SCs, a brief overview of some important results concerning the influence of radiation on both 2D materials-based devices and monolayer of 2D materials is also included.

Solar Energy in Space Applications: Review and Technology Perspectives / Verduci, Rosaria; Romano, Valentino; Brunetti, Giuseppe; Yaghoobi Nia, Narges; Di Carlo, Aldo; D’Angelo, Giovanna; Ciminelli, Caterina. - In: ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS. - ISSN 1614-6832. - ELETTRONICO. - 12:29(2022). [10.1002/aenm.202200125]

Solar Energy in Space Applications: Review and Technology Perspectives

Rosaria Verduci;Giuseppe Brunetti;Caterina Ciminelli
2022-01-01

Abstract

Solar cells (SCs) are the most ubiquitous and reliable energy generation systems for aerospace applications. Nowadays, III–V multijunction solar cells (MJSCs) represent the standard commercial technology for powering spacecraft, thanks to their high-power conversion efficiency and certified reliability/stability while operating in orbit. Nevertheless, spacecraft companies are still using cheaper Si-based SCs to amortize the launching costs of satellites. Moreover, in recent years, new SCs technologies based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as promising candidates for aerospace power systems, because of their appealing properties such as lightweightness, flexibility, cost-effective manufacturing, and exceptional radiation resistance. In this review the current advancements and future challenges of SCs for aerospace applications are critically discussed. In particular, for each type of SC, a description of the device's architecture, a summary of its performance, and a quantitative assessment of the radiation resistance are presented. Finally, considering the high potential that 2D-materials (such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, and transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have in improving both performance and stability of SCs, a brief overview of some important results concerning the influence of radiation on both 2D materials-based devices and monolayer of 2D materials is also included.
2022
review
Solar Energy in Space Applications: Review and Technology Perspectives / Verduci, Rosaria; Romano, Valentino; Brunetti, Giuseppe; Yaghoobi Nia, Narges; Di Carlo, Aldo; D’Angelo, Giovanna; Ciminelli, Caterina. - In: ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS. - ISSN 1614-6832. - ELETTRONICO. - 12:29(2022). [10.1002/aenm.202200125]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2022_Solar_Energy_in_Space_Applications_pdfeditoriale.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 5.71 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
5.71 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11589/240980
Citazioni
  • Scopus 103
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 93
social impact