Technical challenges of space solar power stations: Ultra-large-scale space solar array systems and space environmental effects

Abstract

Space solar power station (SSPS) are important space infrastructure for humans to efficiently utilize solar energy and can effectively reduce the pollution of fossil fuels to the earth’s natural environment. As the energy conversion system of SSPS, solar array is an important unit for the successful service of SSPS. Today, solar arrays represent the standard technology for providing energy for spacecraft, thanks to their high conversion efficiency and reliability/stability in orbit. With the development of solar arrays, many new materials, new photovoltaic devices and new control systems have emerged. Solar arrays are directly exposed to the space environment, and harsh environmental factors can degrade the performance. To ensure the long-term safe in-orbit service of SSPS as well as its ultra-large solar array, these new materials, devices, and control systems must operate certification and evaluation that can be used in space applications. In this review, the development history and research progress of SSPS and the corresponding space solar arrays are summarized and discussed, and the space environmental effects of solar arrays are analyzed at multiple levels (materials, devices, and systems). Finally, in response to the current space environmental effects of the ultra-large solar array used in the SSPS, future development trends and challenges are proposed.