Figure IV-16.- Rectenna construction. 2. Grid Interface It may be possible for the distribution grid to accommodate de voltage directly; if not, the de output may be inverted by either of two approaches. In the first approach, the rectenna is wired to produce 1000 V de, which is used directly as the inverter input. This requires a large number of inverters to minimize conductor losses and cost. In the second approach, the rectenna is wired to produce 250 kV de. This allows an inverter location remote from the rectenna because of lower de transmission losses, and requires fewer inverters for the same power output. It does, however, create new insulation requirements and structural modifications to separate the wiring from ground. E. Operations Ideally, SPS power would remain uniform at all times. In reality, however, there will be variations from several causes as illustrated in figure IV-17. When the solar array is oriented perpendicular to the orbit plane, as has been found desirable from a weight standpoint (see sec. IV-B-4), the solar energy collected varies as the cosine of the Sun's declination, producing the 6-month cycle at the top of figure IV-17. Total variation is about 450 MW.
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