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Jul 18 2018
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Space-Based Solar vs. Conventional Solar – How Are They Different?

By How Does Solar Power Work on a House? Your Questions Answered No Comments

 

We all are familiar with residential and commercial solar panels. They can be found all around states like California, New York, Massachusetts, and more. The blue and black panels are very recognizable and stick out from homes or buildings with traditional rooftops.

Space-based solar, on the other hand, is a topic that even those with knowledge in home and commercial solar are not quite familiar with. So, what is solar for space like, and how is it different from conventional solar technology?

Using Solar Power in Spacecraft

Photovoltaic cells were first used on the Vanguard 1 satellite, which was launched by the US in 1958. Since then, solar technology has been greatly adapted and optimized to suit the conditions of space.

vanguard1The Vanguard 1 satellite and it’s little PV cells

The conventional monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels that are used in residential and commercial settings are not durable enough to withstand the extreme conditions in space like excessive heat and cold, and a constant shower of solar radiation. Because of these unique environmental factors, the solar panel technology used in space is quite different from conventional panels.

Why is solar power needed on satellites?

Spacecraft and satellites in space need a tremendous amount of energy to be operational. Before solar was a viable solution for providing this power, batteries were used. The only problem is that batteries have a set capacity, and without any means to recharge these batteries, they become useless when they run out of energy.

Solar panels paired with batteries are a much better option because they provide a constant stream of renewable energy. Right now, solar is used to provide electricity to the computer systems and other systems that are used to monitor and control various parts of the spacecraft.

The ultimate goal, however, is to use solar energy to propel spacecraft and minimize or completely remove the need for other sources of fuel. This would have serious implications for space travel in a very positive way.

What solar technology do spacecraft use?

There are two types of solar cells that are common in spacecraft:

  1. Silicon cells covered in thin glass, and
  2. Multi-junction cells made up of gallium arsenide and other similar materials.

The silicon cells that are covered with glass are pretty similar to conventional solar panels, but they are further improved to handle radiation and extreme temperatures. This type of panel can be found on the International Space Station, which currently holds the majority of solar panels found in space.

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The solar cells that are made up of gallium arsenide are much more efficient, and as a result, are sometimes a better option when physical space is a concern. These panels can reach up to around 34% efficiency vs. the 15-20% that most commercial solar panels can reach.

440px-Dawn_solar_panelHigh-efficiency gallium arsenide panels of the Dawn satellite

Satellites in space are also equipped with solar panels that can follow the direction of the sun to maximize their absorption of sunlight. Sun rays in space are even more abundant than on Earth, due to the absence of an atmosphere. About 55-60% of solar energy gets either reflected or absorbed on its way to Earth’s surface through clouds, gases, and dust.

The solar panels found in many satellites in space also include a folding structure that allows the panels to expand while the spacecraft is in orbit. This format is also used in the International Space Station.

Lastly, the solar panels in space do not need to convert DC electricity into AC. On Earth, your electricity all of your electronics run on AC power. This is why it is necessary to have a solar inverter to convert the base DC electricity from your panels into AC. AC power is also useful for transmitting electricity over long distances.

Because the electricity that a satellite in space or other spacecraft does not need to travel these distances, it can stay in the DC format. This also helps reduce the amount of hardware needed for these systems.

Space Solar Tech is Built More Durable and Efficient

Overall, there are many similarities between space-based solar panels and conventional solar panels. They both include cells that are made of conductive material (usually silicon) and are fit into arrays. The biggest difference has to do with the overall quality and durability of the modules.

In space, there is extreme heat, cold, and radiation. This is accounted for in space-based solar panels and naturally influences the state of the hardware. Also, NASA is constantly experimenting with different semiconductor materials for producing better solar cells for space. Gallium arsenide is one example of this, and there should be many new innovations on the way!

Jul 17 2018
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Carbon Fee and Dividend with Davia Rivka

By 5 Ways That Solar Energy Benefits the Environment No Comments

The cost of carbon-based fossil fuels is on an incline. Anyone who opens a monthly utility bill can attest to this. Renewable energy sources, such as solar, are on an opposite trajectory.

This is great news for the climate, but advocates such as Davia Rivka emphasize the need to speed up the transition to clean energy.

“There is a point of no return [in climate change] equivalent to falling off a cliff—where nothing we do will reverse the momentum. We are perilously close to that point.”

Davia is a climate change activist, author and blogger. She volunteers with Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), a bipartisan organization combating climate change. CCL’s objective is promoting legislation for a fee on carbon. Dividends from the proposed fee would return directly to American households on a monthly basis.

Davia and more than 100,000 other volunteers inform, educate and serve as resources for members of Congress. She started working with CCL in 2010, when it was a small organization with only a few chapters across the country. It now operates on an international level.

Activist and Climate Change Author

Davia wrote Up to Something Big, a book containing seven building blocks for people to take initiative and make a positive impact on the world. It’s a collection of inspiring stories about people taking action through socially conscious organizations.

Davia Rivka

She’s currently writing her second book, which is more about her personal journey. When asked about her growth over the course of that journey she says,

“I continue to become more vocal about why it matters to speak up. My strength is in inspiring and connecting people. I’ve become more vulnerable and more willing to show my own fear, frustration and confusion.”

Climate Change: How We Talk vs. How We Act

Some of her top reasons for advocacy are well-known climate impact issues including extreme heat, cold and other detrimental weather events. These holistic issues will cause food shortages and unlivable temperatures.

What upsets her most, however, is our inability to work together.

“Too many don’t see how we are all part of the same web. When it goes down, we all go down.”

Last year, CCL volunteers met with over 500 congressional offices. During her time with CCL, conversations have moved from whether or not climate change is real, to how we solve it. That’s definite progress.

A major step forward is the formation of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in 2016. A Republican and a Democrat must join the caucus together in order to maintain its bipartisan nature. There are currently 86 members on the caucus. In Davia’s words, “That represents, excuse the pun, a major sea change.”

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One of the most interesting roadblocks she’s found in lobbying for a carbon fee has been a sense of abdication from some Democrats.

“People often think it must be really hard to work with Republicans and not as hard to work with Democrats. But often Democrats will say they can’t do anything because they can’t get the Republicans to do anything. It’s a convenience factor. They point a finger and place blame on someone else instead of stepping forward themselves.”

How Does Solar Fit the Climate Change and Carbon Fee Model?

The proposed carbon fee would accelerate the already rising costs of carbon-based fuels (oil, coal and gas) and further incentivize investment in solar and other renewables. Carbon-based fuels (oil, coal and gas) would be more expensive and all citizens receive the dividends. Investing in clean energy would reduce living expenses even more dramatically than now.

The fee creates more thrust to drive solar forward, making them even more cost competitive, and clean up the world.

Getting Over Fear of “The Other”

How do we get past our resentment toward “the other” and move forward on big important problems like climate change?

Davia believes in sitting down and listening to the fears and frustrations of people with opposing opinions to “see if anything opens up.”

“To get beyond “other” it takes work, listening, checking in on my own stereotypes and prejudices. It’s not easy, but it’s important.”

Citizens’ Climate Lobby builds influence by working with the media, community leaders, and faith-based organizations. CCL is designed to develop and build leadership in its volunteers. If you’re interested in learning more or volunteering, please visit the CCL website.

Read more about Davia, subscribe to her blog and check out her book today at DaviaRivka.com.