Space power generation photovoltaics

Key to applications 1—power generation 2—cogeneration 3—transportadon 4—portable 5—residential 6—hybrids with gas turbines 7—space 8—defense 9—regenerative energy storage coupled with renewable energy system (wind, photovoltaic, etc.). 

A photovoltaic material generates a voltage when it is exposed to light and photovoltaic can be considered as a specialized area of optoelectronics. The principle has been known for many decades but it became a industrial reality only in 1958 when an array of photovoltaic cells, based on single-crystal silicon, provided power for a space vehicle. 

Solar cells (photovoltaic cells) convert simlight to electricity. Photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductor materials such as silicon and gallium arsenide. When light strikes the cell, photons are absorbed within the semiconductor and create electron-hole pairs that move within the cell. This generates the energy that is used to power space vehicles. 

We can combine one or more arrays with batteries to store the electricity generated by the photovoltaic cells. We use photovoltaic to power emergency phones along highways, satellites, the international space station, private houses, and even solar cars. 

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