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Progress in developing ultrathin solar cell blanket technology

Conference · · Conf. Rec. IEEE Photovoltaic Spec. Conf.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6025920
A program was conducted to develop technologies for welding interconnects to 50-..mu..m thick, 2 by 2 cm solar cells obtained from Spectrolab, Solarex, and Applied Solar Energy Corporation (ASEC). Parallel gap resistance welding was used for interconnect attachment. Weld schedules were independently developed for each of the three cell types and were coincidentally identical. Six 48-cell modules were assembled with 50-..mu..m (nominal) thick cells, frosted fused silica covers, silver plated Invar interconnectors, and four different substrate designs. Three modules (one for each cell type: ASEC, Spectrolab and Solarex) have single layer Kapton (50-..mu..m thick) substrates. The other three modules (all with ASEC cells) each have a different substrate (KaptonKevlar-Kapton, Kapton-graphite-Kapton, and Kaptongraphite-aluminum honeycomb-graphite). All six modules were subjected to 4112 thermal cycles from -175 degrees C to 65 degrees C (corresponding to over 40 years of simulated geosynchronous orbit thermal cycling) and experienced only negligible electrical degradation (1.1 percent average of six 48-cell modules).
Research Organization:
TRW Space and Technology Group, Redondo Beach, CA
OSTI ID:
6025920
Report Number(s):
CONF-840561-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Conf. Rec. IEEE Photovoltaic Spec. Conf.; (United States)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English