First Solar Panels In Space

The most sustainable solar pv technology.

First solar panels in space.

All pv technologies are not created equal. China is planning to build the world s first solar power station in space to provide inexhaustible clean energy according to a story in science and technology daily the official newspaper of. The first spacecraft to use solar panels was the vanguard 1 satellite launched by the us in 1958. Courtesy of john perlin take a light step back to 1883 when new york inventor charles fritts created the first.

This was largely because of the influence of dr. First solar pv panels have been reported as setting the world record for solar panel efficiency recently with their cadmium telluride cdte thin film solar panels achieving efficiency levels of 17 3. Hans ziegler who can be regarded as the father of spacecraft solar power. First solar s advanced thin film photovoltaic pv modules are manufactured using less energy water and semiconductor material resulting in the best environmental profile in the industry.

In 1958 the vanguard i satellite used a tiny one watt panel to power its radios. The company s integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically attractive alternative to fossil fuel electricity generation today. The satellite which is only 6 4 inches in diameter and 3 5 pounds was the first solar powered satellite to be sent into space on this day in 1958. Arizona based first solar was the first solar panel manufacturer in the world to achieve production costs as low as per watt.

Further satellitessuch as vanguard ii sputnik 3 and the explorer iii also used solar panels. First solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic pv solar solutions which use its advanced module and system technology. From raw material sourcing through end of life module recycling first solar s renewable energy. The satellite was powered by silicon solar cells with 10 conversion efficiency.

The first space application of solar panels came in 1958 when the vanguard i satellite was launched. Although it had only a 1 watt cell used to power its radio this was the beginning. It transmitted information from 1957 to 1964. Vanguard 1 source radio museum.

Later that year the vanguard ii explorer iii and sputnik 3 were all launched with pv technology on board. Solar panels in outer space some of the earliest uses of solar technology were actually in outer space where solar was used to power satellites.