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moeadhamyesterday at 10:47 PM7 repliesview on HN

In fairness, solar cells can be about 5x more efficient in space (irradiance, uptime).


Replies

ben_wyesterday at 11:27 PM

The quoted "1 TW of photovoltaic cells per year, globally" is the peak output, not the average output. They're only about 20% higher peak output in space… well, if you can keep them cool at least.

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cowsandmilkyesterday at 11:19 PM

It is more than 5x less expensive to get surface area on earth’s surface.

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sltkrtoday at 12:07 AM

Fortunately there are no downsides to launching solar cells into space that would offset those gains.

philistineyesterday at 11:44 PM

Does that include all the required radiators to vent heat?

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tenuousemphasisyesterday at 11:50 PM

Now do waste heat.

__alexsyesterday at 10:54 PM

Solar cells have exactly the same power rating on earth as in space surely? What would change is their capacity factor and so energy generation.

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bastawhizyesterday at 10:56 PM

And how much of that power would be spent on high speed communications with Earth that aren't, you know, a megabit or two per second

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