TABLE 7-3. KEY ISSUES FOR SPS POWER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION • Array Performance is Highly Sensitive to Many Parameters — Solar cell thermal coefficients and thermal properties — Solar cell cover or surface optical properties — Reflector (concentrator) physical properties — Radiation degradation performance of all components — Other environmental effects on all components — Thickness and size of basic cells — Output voltage and current (and possible requirement for voltage regulation) — Interconnection requirements and characteristics — Substrate characteristics — Off-Sun pointing (especially for concentrator versions) — Transportation and assembly of very fragile arrays • SPS Power Distribution can be a Critical Performance Area — Power loss is substantial (ECON at 8 percent loss gives up 1.4 GW) which reflects into larger impacts on array and/or concentrator — High voltage distribution introduces additional penalties along with benefits — Long life of conductor structure at elevated temperatures — Rotary joints or contacts for power transfer from array to microwave system • Power Required for the Control and Maintenance of the Station — Includes thrusters, communications, upkeep of systems, local transportation • Ground Power Conversion, Conditioning, and Distribution — Rectenna output may require change to be compatible with distribution networks — Small changes on the ground can reflect into large changes on the SPS — If terrestrial energy storage is required, technology solutions must be considered
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