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Harnessing the Power of the Sun
| Issue: |
2005 |
Category: |
Environment and Resource Management |
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| Page: |
66-67 |
Center: |
Dryden Flight Research Center |
| State: |
CA |
Manufacturer: |
SunPower Corporation |
| Origin: |
Solar Power for Erast |
| Tech Terms: |
Solar Panels, Erast, Solar Power |
| Abstract: |
| The Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) Alliance was created in 1994 and operated for 9 years as a NASA-sponsored coalition of 28 members from small companies, government, universities, and nonprofit organizations. ERAST's goal was to foster development of remotely piloted aircraft technology for scientific, humanitarian, and commercial purposes. Some of the aircraft in the ERAST Alliance were intended to fly unmanned at high altitudes for days at a time, and flying for such durations required alternative sources of power that did not add weight. Solar energy was one solution. Under the ERAST Alliance, two solar-powered aircraft, Pathfinder and Helios, were developed. SunPower Corporation created high-efficiency silicon cells for the solar-powered aircraft. These photovoltaic cells were the most advanced silicon-based cells available for terrestrial or airborne applications and, over time, evolved into the mass-produced A-300. The A-300 is an efficient, high-performance, low-cost, single crystal silicon solar cell, with a unique, all back-contact design. It offers up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar cells. The company was able to bring costs down to be competitive with conventional cells. Consumers can purchase these same solar cells from SunPower. Homes across the country are now being outfitted with the modern, space-age solar power. |
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