> On Fri, 14 Dec 2001, Robert J. Bradbury wrote:
>
> > Regular Si solar cells are certainly feasible in the 10-20% region
> > (the lower efficiencies being poly-silicon which may be easier to
> > produce on the Moon). You might be able to push it up to ~24%...
I see a lot of worry being focussed on solar cell *efficiency*, but keep
in mind that the 24% is the amount of energy converted as a function
of the *area* of the cell. This may not be the most critical parameter for
space based operations, for under those conditions we have plenty of...
space. {8-]
We should instead look at energy output per unit *mass* (which has
been increasing in the past decade) or even energy output as a
function of manufacturing complication, or energy output as a
function of the least available material, which isnt silicon by any
means. I am reluctant to suggest such a study, for I fear Robert
will assign me to study this and write up a paper. {8^D spike
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