Solar Energy in Space Applications: Review and Technology Perspectives

Solar cells (SCs) are the most ubiquitous and reliable energy generation systems for aerospace applications. Nowadays, III-V multijunction solar cells (MJSCs) represent the standard commercial technology for powering spacecraft, thanks to their high-power conversion efficiency and certified reliability/stability while operating in orbit. Nevertheless, spacecraft companies are still using cheaper Si-based SCs to amortize the launching costs of satellites. Moreover, in recent years, new SCs technologies based on Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 (CIGS) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as promising candidates for aerospace power systems, because of their appealing properties such as lightweightness, flexibility, cost-effective manufacturing, and exceptional radiation resistance. In this review the current advancements and future challenges of SCs for aerospace applications are critically discussed. In particular, for each type of SC, a description of the device's architecture, a summary of its performance, and a quantitative assessment of the radiation resistance are presented. Finally, considering the high potential that 2D-materials (such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, and transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have in improving both performance and stability of SCs, a brief overview of some important results concerning the influence of radiation on both 2D materials-based devices and monolayer of 2D materials is also included.

Automated summary

Solar cells are widely used in aerospace applications as the most reliable energy generation systems. New solar cell technologies based on CIGS and PSCs have emerged as promising candidates due to their lightweight, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and exceptional radiation resistance. This review discusses the advancements and challenges of solar cells for aerospace applications, including the performance and radiation resistance evaluation of different types of solar cells, as well as the influence of 2D materials on solar cell performance and stability.