Economically viable Solar Power Satellites must be scalable up to GW at reasonable cost. On modular subcomponent level benchmarked in €/W and W/kg, the most expensive state of the art component of a SPS are space PV power arrays. They are up to 100 times too expensive and an order of magnitude too heavy to build a competitive solar power satellite SPS with terrestrial microwave energy collection infrastructure.
It is proposed to merge two established space technology materials and processes into one fully integrated novel PV array architecture, combining space rated thin film Polyimides from NEXOLVE Holding Company LLC (NXLV) USA and space reliable thin film a-Si PV array technology from CSEM Switzerland.
The resulting modular large area PV array will be similar in size to solar sails from NXLV with space heritage, incorporating 400m2 solar energy collection area and 50kW PV solar electric power harvesting at the same total system weight of 35 kg. The expected specific power exceeds state of the art by an order of magnitude. Array manufacturing costs can be reduced by 1-2 orders of magnitude as well. Combined with the unique flexibility of stowing, a readily scalable high power PV module for large SPS architectures becomes a reality.
While the process system integration of these technologies is at very low TRL, the underlying materials and PV cell design processes are established with years of space heritage, thereby reducing the overall technology integration risk. This unique and disruptive idea is only made possible by incorporating an international legal technology joint venture KRISOL AG Switzerland, between two independent partners, NEXOLVE Holding Company LLC (NXLV) from Huntsville USA with CSEM in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
The research partnership securing access to ITAR restricted materials from NXLV is pre-negotiated and prepared for joint venture investment.
