Ionizing radiation photovoltaic panels

Can solar PV panels detect a nuclear detonation?

They can potentially serve to correctly identify a nuclear detonation by sensing the prompt ionizing radiation, which is a unique emission signature of nuclear detonation. Solar PV panels may provide valuable forensics information, either complementary or supplementary, to that from other sensor systems.

Are solar PV panels useful for forensics?

Solar PV panels may provide valuable forensics information, either complementary or supplementary, to that from other sensor systems. The high-intensity short burst of prompt gamma rays is the first ionizing radiation pulse arriving at a solar panel located at a certain distance (1.5 km, for example) from the detonation point.

Are photovoltaic cells damaged by radiation?

Open challenges regarding radiation-induced degradation of III–V photovoltaic cells. The growing interest in space exploration demands exploring new energy resources as well as improvement of the existing sources of energy used in space environments in terms of robustness, reliability, resiliency, and efficiency.

How does gamma ray ionization affect solar cell performance?

Different from the ionization effects in the polymer and glass layers of a solar cell/panel, displacement damage in the Si p-n layer from gamma rays or fast electrons is much less than that from massive particles, which directly affects the charge collection performance fundamental to solar cell operation.

Are Si solar cells irradiated during a nuclear detonation?

The results overall demonstrate a good gamma-ray detection capability, radiation tolerance to high-energy (≤1.25 MeV) gamma rays, and DD recovery of the Si solar cells in the context of a nuclear detonation. We would like to acknowledge the support of the OSU NRL and the assistance of the reactor staff members for the irradiation services provided.

Can perovskite photovoltaics recover after radiation damage?

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative Perovskite photovoltaics have been shown to recover, or heal, after radiation damage. Here, we deconvolve the effects of radiation based on different energy loss mechanisms from incident protons which induce defects or can promote efficiency recovery.