The SCARLET light concentrating solar array

In recent years, spacecraft power levels have continued to grow, accelerating the evolution towards higher efficiency photovoltaic devices. Light concentrating arrays enable the cost-effective implementation of recently developed high-efficiency solar cells while providing high array efficiency, protection from space radiation effects and plasma interaction minimization for high voltage arrays. The line-focus concentrator concept delivers two added advantages: (1) low-cost mass production of the lens material; and (2) relaxation of precise array tracking requirements to only a single axis. New array designs emphasize lightweight, high stiffness, stow-ability, and ease of manufacture and assembly. In this paper, the authors address the current status of the SCARLET (solar concentrator array with refractive linear element technology) concentrator program with special emphasis on cost and mass performance trade-offs versus cell type and Sun tracking capability.