Abstract: A space-based solar power station, a power generating satellite module and/or a method for collecting solar radiation and transmitting power generated using electrical current produced therefrom is provided. Each solar power station includes a plurality of satellite modules. The plurality of satellite modules each include a plurality of modular power generation tiles including a photovoltaic solar radiation collector, a power transmitter and associated control electronics. Numerous embodiments relate to efficient power generation tiles. In one embodiment, an efficient power generation tile includes: at least one photovoltaic material; and at least one concentrator that redirects incident solar radiation towards a photovoltaic material such that the photovoltaic material experiences a greater solar flux relative to the case where the photovoltaic material experiences unaltered solar radiation.

Abstract: Compactable power generation arrays are provided. The compactable power generation arrays may include a structural substrate body having an array of solar concentrators configured to receive and re-direct solar radiation onto a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells. In many other embodiments the PV cells may be disposed upon a back surface of each of the solar concentrators such that an adjacent solar concentrator is configured to re-direct solar radiation onto the PV cell disposed on the back surface of the adjacent solar concentrator.

Abstract: A space-based solar power station, a power generating satellite module and/or a method for collecting solar radiation and transmitting power generated using electrical current produced therefrom is provided. Each solar power station includes a plurality of satellite modules. The plurality of satellite modules each include a plurality of modular power generation tiles including a photovoltaic solar radiation collector, a power transmitter and associated control electronics. The power transmitters can be coordinated as a phased array and the power generated by the phased array is transmitted to one or more power receivers to achieve remote wireless power generation and delivery. Each satellite module may be formed of a compactable structure capable of reducing the payload area required to deliver the satellite module to an orbital formation within the space-based solar power station.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the invention provide a photovoltaic concentrator tile for a space-based solar power (SBSP) system including constituent components thereof. In a number of embodiments, the photovoltaic concentrator tile include a one photovoltaic cell, a reflector, a power transmitter and circuitry configured to perform a variety of control functions. Embodiments also provide compactible structures, materials for improving thermal emissivity, and methods and mechanisms for manufacturing and using these components.

Abstract: Compactable power generation arrays are provided. The compactable power generation arrays may include a structural substrate body having an array of solar concentrators configured to receive and re-direct solar radiation onto a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells. In many other embodiments the PV cells may be disposed upon a back surface of each of the solar concentrators such that an adjacent solar concentrator is configured to re-direct solar radiation onto the PV cell disposed on the back surface of the adjacent solar concentrator.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the invention implement textured metasurfaces that can provide for enhanced thermal emissivity. In one embodiment, a lightweight solar power generator includes: at least one photovoltaic cell including a photovoltaic material; at least one concentrator, configured to focus incident solar radiation onto the photovoltaic material; and at least one textured metasurface characterized by its inclusion of a plurality of microstructures, each having a characteristic lateral dimension of between approximately 1 ?m and approximately 100 ?m patterned thereon; where the at least one textured metasurface is disposed such that it is in thermal communication with at least some portion of the lightweight solar power generator that generates heat during the normal operation of the lightweight solar power generator, and is thereby configured to dissipate heat generated by the at least some portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the invention implement mirrors that are more transparent to specific regions of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g. the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum) relative to conventional metallic mirrors (e.g. mirrors made form aluminum or silver). In one embodiment, a space-based solar power system includes: a photovoltaic material; and a mirror that is—relative to a 10 ?m thick sheet of aluminum—more transparent to at least one of a substantial portion of the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum and a substantial portion of the radio wave region of the electromagnetic spectrum; where the mirror is configured to focus incident visible light onto the photovoltaic material.

Abstract: A light splitting optical module that converts incident light into electrical energy, the module including a solid optical element comprising an input end for receiving light, a first side, and a second side spaced from the first side, a first solar cell adjacent to the first side of the solid optical element, and a second solar cell adjacent to the second side of the solid optical element. The first solar cell is positioned to absorb a first subset of incident light and reflect a first remainder of the incident light to the second solar cell through the solid optical element, wherein the first solar cell has a lower band gap than the second cell.

Abstract: A space-based solar power station, a power generating satellite module and/or a method for collecting solar radiation and transmitting power generated using electrical current produced therefrom is provided. Each solar power station includes a plurality of satellite modules. The plurality of satellite modules each include a plurality of modular power generation tiles including a photovoltaic solar radiation collector, a power transmitter and associated control electronics. The power transmitters can be coordinated as a phased array and the power generated by the phased array is transmitted to one or more power receivers to achieve remote wireless power generation and delivery. Each satellite module may be formed of a compactable structure capable of reducing the payload area required to deliver the satellite module to an orbital formation within the space-based solar power station.

Abstract: A virtual substrate includes a handle support and a strain-relieved single crystalline layer on the handle support. A method of making the virtual substrate includes growing a coherently-strained single crystalline layer on an initial growth substrate, removing the initial growth substrate to relieve the strain on the single crystalline layer, and applying the strain-relieved single crystalline layer on a handle support.

Abstract: A space-based solar power station, a power generating satellite module and/or a method for collecting solar radiation and transmitting power generated using electrical current produced therefrom is provided. Each solar power station includes a plurality of satellite modules. The plurality of satellite modules each include a plurality of modular power generation tiles including a photovoltaic solar radiation collector, a power transmitter and associated control electronics. Numerous embodiments relate to efficient power generation tiles. In one embodiment, an efficient power generation tile includes: at least one photovoltaic material; and at least one concentrator that redirects incident solar radiation towards a photovoltaic material such that the photovoltaic material experiences a greater solar flux relative to the case where the photovoltaic material experiences unaltered solar radiation.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system that converts incident light into electrical energy that includes a light trapping optical module having a light randomizing dielectric slab with a first surface and a second surface, a first cell adjacent to the first surface of the slab that has a bandgap of lower energy than the energy of absorption onset of the dielectric slab, at least one filter element in optical contact with the second surface of the dielectric slab, and a sub-cell array with a plurality of photovoltaic sub-cells, wherein at least one of the sub-cells has a first surface that is in optical contact with the at least one filter element.

Abstract: A light splitting optical module that converts incident light into electrical energy, the module including a solid optical element comprising an input end for receiving light, a first side, and a second side spaced from the first side, a first solar cell adjacent to the first side of the solid optical element, and a second solar cell adjacent to the second side of the solid optical element. The first solar cell is positioned to absorb a first subset of incident light and reflect a first remainder of the incident light to the second solar cell through the solid optical element.

Abstract: A virtual substrate includes a handle support and a strain-relieved single crystalline layer on the handle support. A method of making the virtual substrate includes growing a coherently-strained single crystalline layer on an initial growth substrate, removing the initial growth substrate to relieve the strain on the single crystalline layer, and applying the strain-relieved single crystalline layer on a handle support.