The ones we use on the Fox-1 satellites are 28.3%, BOL. I have no idea what a typical home solar panel can do. And I don't know if Bob has something newer and more efficient in his hands.
Jerry Buxton, NØJY
On 8/31/2016 13:22, dougphelps@ameritech.net wrote:
What is the efficiency of a $500 space solar panel versus the efficiency of a home solar panel?
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On Wed, Aug 31, 2016 at 12:04 PM, Robert Bruningabruninga@usna.edu wrote: We just bought some high efficiency solar cells for our cubesat at $500 per watt.
For what it is worth, that is 1600 times more expensive than home solar panels now down to 30 cents a watt. So I plotted it:
http://aprs.org/Energy/solar/Cost-of-efficiency.png
It is interesting that we hear so much about solar getting cheaper, but in fact, the high end only gets more expensive. That is why those people who say “I’m waiting for higher efficiency” will never see it be cost effective. The space industry will always pay much,much more for just a factor of two increase, whereas the homeowner will only ever pay the cheapest. And cheap it is!
Solar power is now cheaper than a custom glass window of the same size. The cost of the solar cells is only 10% of the typical home installation (recently seen as low as $2.70/watt contractor price in PA).
Bob, WB4APR _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb