SPS-ALPHA and Modular Concentrators
How do concentrator designs such as SPS-ALPHA differ, and what do they trade?
Chapter summary
SPS-ALPHA, proposed by John Mankins, uses a very large number of small, identical mirrors, "heliostats", that reflect and concentrate sunlight onto a transmitting array of integrated tiles.
Key takeaways
- 1
Concentration means fewer solar cells per watt, which could cut cost and mass, and the identical mirrors suit mass production.
- 2
The price is heat: concentrated sunlight raises cell and electronics temperatures, which demands radiators, and the mirror field must be controlled precisely.
- 3
NASA funded early SPS-ALPHA work through its innovative concepts programme, and the UK's Frazer-Nash study evaluated it alongside CASSIOPeiA and found both technically and economically viable at maturity.
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