Solestial, Inc. (formerly Regher Solar) in collaboration with Opterus Research and Development, Inc. (Opterus) propose this SBIR Ignite project to develop a novel photovoltaic solar array technology for large-scale spacecraft and planetary surface infrastructure that can overcome size, cost and weight limitations of the existing solar array technologies, achieve >50 kWe scale, 200 W/kg specific power and 50 kW/m3 stowed volume efficiency while simultaneously having $40/W cost and >1, 000 MW manufacturing potential. The proposed innovation is based on integrating the next generation radiation hard and ultra-light silicon Solar Power Modules (SPMs) developed by Solestial with R-ROMA deployment system developed by Opterus. The proposed SBIR Ignite project will develop critical technologies required to integrate thin silicon SPMs with R-ROMA deployment system to achieve TRL 6 on a 1-5 kW solar array followed by transitioning to TRL 7, 8 and injection into commercial and NASA missions. Using the follow-on funding Solestial will be looking to build a full size 50 kWe solar array demonstrator and space test a 5 kW scaled model. Anticipated
Benefits: NASA
Benefits: The proposed technology will meet NASA goal of bringing to TRL 6 by 2030 50 kW-scale photovoltaic solar arrays, deployed vertically or horizontally, providing power at >200 V at 200 W/kg BOL and exhibiting no more than 10% degradation over ten years in the Lunar polar environment. Large scale arrays can also be used to power future science missions using solar electric propulsion as well as non-nuclear deep space missions. Non-NASA
Benefits: 50 kW-scale solar arrays are needed for commercial space stations and solar electric propulsion tugs. In addition to meeting 200 W/kg and 50 kW/m3 goals commercial customers are looking for at least 10X cost reduction compared to the state of practice. The proposed technology can deliver $40/W manufacturing cost making it the most cost effective solution on the market.