Multi-junction solar cells and microwave power transmission technologies for solar power satellite

Abstract

Solar power satellite (SPS) is a renewable and infinite energy system in the Geostationary Earth Orbit, which works as an electric power plant in space. Main theme of our research work is that SPS will collect solar energy, converts sunlight to electricity and beam the power to ground-based receiving stations. The attenuation that results from passing through the atmosphere, sunlight in Earth orbit is about 25% more intense than on the ground. Four main parts of microwave power transmission (MPT) for Solar power satellite system are- highly efficient solar cell for space solar panel, a microwave generator (for high power application magnetron can be used and for low power application we can use solid state amplifier), an antenna to transmit microwave power, and a rectenna to receive and convert the microwave energy into usable DC power. With the increases in energy cost and recent interest in finding ways to produce energy with reduced emission of greenhouse gasses, SPS can play a vital role. The ultimate concentration of this research work is to introduce Solar Power Satellite system with multi-junction solar cell which enhances overall efficiency of space solar panel and modern technologies associated with MPT for proposed SPS system.