Investigation of reliability attributes and accelerated stress factors of terrestrial solar cells. Second annual report
The work covered in this report represents the second year's effort of a continuing program to determine the reliability attributes of terrestrial solar cells. Three main tasks were undertaken during the reporting period: (1) a study of the electrical behavior of cells in the second (reverse) quadrant, (2) the accelerated stress testing of three new state of the art cells and (3) the continued bias-temperature testing of four Block II type silicon cells at 78/sup 0/C and 135/sup 0/C. Electrical characteristics measured in the second quadrant were determined to be a function of the cell's thermal behavior with breakdown depending on the initiation of localized heating. This implied that high breakdown cells may be more fault tolerant when forced to operate in the second quadrant - a result contrary to conventional thinking. The accelerated stress tests used in the first (power) quadrant were bias-temperature, bias-temperature-humidity, temperature-humidity, thermal shock, and thermal cycle. The new type cells measured included an EFG cell, a polycrystalline cell, and a Czochralski cell. Electrical parameters measured included I/sub SC/, V/sub OC/, P/sub M/, and I/sub M/. Incorporated in the report are the distributions of prestress electrical data for all cell types. Significant differences in the response to the various stress tests were observed between cell types. A microprocessed controlled, short interval solar cell tester was designed and construction initiated on a prototype for use in the program.
- Research Organization:
- Clemson Univ., SC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- NAS-7-100-954929
- OSTI ID:
- 5595307
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/JPL/954929-80/7
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Investigation of reliability attributes and accelerated stress factors on terrestrial solar cells. Sixth quarterly report, July 1-October 1, 1979
Investigation of reliability attributes and accelerated stress factors on terrestrial solar cells. Third annual report
Related Subjects
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RELIABILITY
THERMAL STRESSES
SOLAR CELLS
CZOCHRALSKI METHOD
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
EFG METHOD
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
FAILURES
HUMIDITY
MICROPROCESSORS
POLYCRYSTALS
STRESSES
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMAL CYCLING
THERMAL SHOCK
WEATHERING
CRYSTAL GROWTH METHODS
CRYSTALS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion