Peters IM (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Book Volume: 286
Article Number: 113589
DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113589
This study explores the concept of a photovoltaic Dyson sphere, a megastructure designed to capture and convert a star's energy for use in advanced technological applications. The temperature of a Dyson sphere composed of both blackbody and grey body materials is investigated. For efficient photovoltaic conversion, the semiconductor sphere must be coated with a black material to regulate temperature, ensuring it remains low enough for photovoltaic generation. The environmental impact on planetary conditions is also analyzed, revealing that only a Dyson sphere with an extension beyond Earth's orbit could allow life to persist on Earth while maintaining suitable temperatures for photovoltaic efficiency. Such a structure would still increase Earth's temperature, necessitating planetary temperature control systems—an issue that parallels the challenges of mitigating global warming. Considering material availability in the solar system, it was found that a partial Dyson sphere at 2.13 AU, using 1.3 × 1023 kg of silicon, could generate 4 % of the Sun's power, yielding 15.6 YW of electricity while increasing temperature on Earth by less than 3K.
APA:
Peters, I.M. (2025). The photovoltaic Dyson sphere. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113589
MLA:
Peters, Ian Marius. "The photovoltaic Dyson sphere." Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 286 (2025).
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