Solar array cost reductions.

Abstract

There is great interest in reducing the cost of solar arrays, which will continue to be the prime power source for unmanned spacecraft for some time. The cost of solar power systems over the last decade, and means by which cost reductions may be achieved in the future are discussed. It is shown that the total system cost index is a function of solar array area, and that cost decreases as production of solar arrays goes up. This effect can be exploited more than has been done in the past by making common building blocks from which a variety of arrays can be assembled.