Australian solar power station gets boost from space technology (46% increase in efficiency!)

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2008/07/08/44087/australian-solar-power-station-gets-boost-from-space-technology.htm

Australian solar power station gets boost from space technology

by Steve Bush
Tuesday 8 July 2008

Australian solar power generators have boosted output by 46%, by upgrading to multi-junction III-V/germanium solar cells, which are normally reserved for space.

Three power stations in the Northern Territory are involved, originally producing 720kW from parabolically concentrated (500x ) sunlight.

In all, there are 30 14m wide mirrors each with a 30% efficient water-cooled cell that now delivers 35kW, boosting total output to over 1MW - replacing 420,000 litres of diesel oil per year, claims German power chip maker Semikron which supplied the stations’ power converters.

The solar cells are thought to be GaInP/GaAs/Ge types from California’s Spectrolab which are normally used in space. They replace silicon-based cells and have an area of 0.23m sq.

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[Joanne98]

1. It's a Boeing Company

Welcome to Spectrolab, the world's leading manufacturer of space solar cells and panels. Spectrolab's product portfolio includes terrestrial concentrator solar cells and modules, searchlight systems (Nightsun?series), solar simulators and Photodetector products.


Spectrolab, founded in 1956, is a world-class supplier of compound semiconductors, in the form of solar cells and panels, to the space industry. Deployed in 1959, Explorer 6 was the first satellite to use solar arrays. Galaxy IIIC, the world's highest
capacity satellite launched on June 15, 2002. It carries the latest solar cell technology (Improved Triple-Junction with a minimum average efficiency of 26.5%) developed and manufactured at Spectrolab. Ultra-Triple-Junction solar cells, with a minimum average efficiency of 28.3%, are now in production and allow satellite operators the choice of increasing the capacity of their existing satellite platforms.


Spectrolab, through its commitment to continuous improvement in products and customer satisfaction, strives to deliver, on time, every time, the highest quality products and services available in the industry.

http://www.spectrolab.com/