Ultra-Thin, Flexible InGaP Solar Arrays Embedded In Solar Sails for Power Generation

Solar sail missions can only use embedded photovoltaic (PV) arrays that are low-mass, high-performance, radiation-hard, and stable in near sun environments. Amorphous Si (<10% AM0 eff.) and CIGSe (< 11%) have been tested for these reasons, but their already low efficiency drops at high temperature. MicroLink Devices proposes a single junction (SJ) epitaxial lift-off (ELO) InGaP PV device that can be embedded in solar sails. ELO removes the PV device structure from the growth substrate, providing ~50x mass reduction, ~30% cost reduction, and results in very flexible PV. It allows for a back surface that reflects ~80% of solar photons (> 650nm), provides thrust, enables low temperature operation in near Sun environments (~50oC cooler vs. conventional space PV), and simplifies power management and distribution. High efficiency is expected under operating conditions (>15% AM0 eff., >900 W/kg) with excellent radiation tolerance (<4% drop at 1 x1015 e/cm2, 1 MeV electrons). These features make the proposed cell an ideal candidate for powering distributed solar sails.

NASA has had multiple solar sail opportunities, including the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, the Near-Earth Asteroid Scout, and the Solar Cruiser. The proposed ELO SJ InGaP arrays will be of great use for powering electronics of future NASA solar sail missions to LaGrange points (particularly L1) as well as interplanetary travel. Given their low operating temperature, these arrays would also be of use for future NASA spacecraft in high temperature environments such as future Mercury and Venus missions (such as ENVISION). Target applications for the proposed ELO SJ InGaP solar arrays would be solar sail missions for LaGrange points and interplanetary travel, and for orbits around the earth, moon, etc. Additional applications include any spacecraft experiencing high temperatures (near Sun, at Venus, etc.). These are specialized missions, but MicroLink is confident this product would be a benefit.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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