Inflatable lenses for space photovoltaic concentrator arrays

For 12 years, ENTECH and NASA Lewis have been developing Fresnel lens solar concentrator technology for space power applications. ENTECH provided the point-focus mini-dome lenses for the PASP+ array, launched in 1994. These silicone lenses performed well on-orbit, with only about 3% optical performance loss after 1 year in elliptical orbit, with high radiation, atomic oxygen, and ultraviolet exposure. The only protection for these silicone lenses was a thin-film coating provided by OCLI. ENTECH also provided the line-focus lenses for the SCARLET 1 and SCARLET 2 arrays in 1995 and 1997, respectively. These lenses are laminated assemblies, with protective ceria glass superstrates over the silicone lens. In March 1997, ENTECH and NASA Lewis began development of inflatable Fresnel lenses, to achieve lower weight, smaller launch volume, reduced cost, less fragility and other advantages. This paper summarizes the new concentrator approach, including key program results to date.