The stretched lens array (SLA), an ultralight concentrator for space power

摘要

A high-performance, ultralight, photovoltaic concentrator array is being developed for space power. The stretched lens ray (SLA) uses stretched-membrane, silicone Fresnel lenses to concentrate sunlight onto triple-junction photovoltaic cells. The cells are mounted to a composite radiator structure. The entire solar array wing, including lenses, photovoltaic cell flex circuits, composite panels, hinges, yoke, wiring harness, and deployment mechanisms, has a mass density of 1.5 kg/sq.m. NASA Glenn has measured 27.4% net SLA panel (Fig. 1) efficiency, or 375 W/sq.m. power density, at room temperature. GEO operating cell temperature (80C), this power density will be 300 W/sq.m., resulting in 200 W/kg specific power at full wing level. SLA is a direct ultralight descendent of the successful SCARLET array on NASA's Deep Space 1 spacecraft. This paper describes the evolution from SCARLET to SLA, summarizes the SLA's key features, and provides performance and mass data for this new concentrator array.