PV Gap

Roy Said:

Going to be graduating as an electrical engineer, interested in alternative energy or space, but overwhelmed.?

We Answered:

If the company you're working for offers enough of what you want to do that you're generally happy there, I'd recommend sticking with it for up to about five years. Get some work history under your belt and a Master's degree to boot.
If after that time you still want to pursue another career, start looking. Employed is the much preferred position to be job hunting from - it tells a prospective employer that *somebody* was willing to hire you (so you aren't likely a deadbeat).

It's common to not have a clear idea what you want to settle on when you're first getting out. Most people go through several jobs in the beginning. I had two jobs that lasted a year each, started a Masters, found a third job where I stayed 13 years, finished the Masters, and several years ago made a major career change (into the space program, of all things).

Claire Said:

What kind of protective layer they put on solar cells (in space)?

We Answered:

i think theres not that much of a layer on solar cells in space
maybe a thin UV-Resistant foil or so, or a small layer of polycarbonate, or so.

reason: it has to be very light to save weight.

since its being hit by micro-metereoids anyway its more challenging to think in a failsafe electric design which allows single cells in a panel to me wiped out by impacts, without letting the whole panel fail.

any better protective material would weight too much and would get destroyed anyway, sooner or later.

I think if you are up for protecting solar cells on earth you should look for glass... maybe layered glass with a thin foil in the middle.