Does PV work better in space then it does on the ground or worse? It seems
like it would be very cold but get a lot more sunlight. Just curious since
they use it on satelites all the time.
My understanding is that photovoltaic panels work better when
cold. And, yes, they get better light in orbit, without the
filtering of regular air, along with pollution and shading.
OTOH, lifting stuff into space is very expensive. That is why
satellites have very expensive type of panels. Paying a lot for
a very efficient panel costs less than paying even more to send a
less efficient one. That is because the end-users are thinking
in terms of dollars-per-kilo.
Another factor is the alternatives. Batteries that weren't
solar-charged would run down, and need expensive replacement.
And nu-cu-ler powered satellites would be dangerous, difficult to
get permits for, and generally unpopular. I recall reading of an
incident in the 1980s, where a nuke-powered Russian spy satellite
crashed, strewing debris accross northern Canada. Which was very
contentious and expensive for the clean-up (the Russians paid.)