Gallium arsenide: Solar panel assembly technology

Conference · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · Conf. Rec. IEEE Photovoltaic Spec. Conf.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6075728

Zemmrich, D; Loo, R; Mardesich, N; McFarlane, B

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cell devices are maturing at 18% AMO efficiencies for liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) technology, and efforts must be intensified placing necessary focus on the development of panel assembly techniques, and ultimately panel manufacturing methods capable of maintaining these high efficiencies for on-panel operation. Key problems and solutions are described which were experienced during the assembly of flight qualified solar panels using Spectrolab's mature (silicon) panel manufacturing processes for assembly of LPE GaAs solar cells. These cells were produced by Hughes Malibu (supplied by the U.S. Air Force WPAFB) ranging in efficiency from 15 to 17 percent, air mass zero (AMO) 28 degrees C. Cell assembly methods for coverglass installation, submodule, and circuit soldering, as well as panel bonding are discussed. The LIPS II satellite, using a GaAs solar cell panel was successfully launched in 1983.

• Research Organization: Spectrolab, Inc.
• OSTI ID: 6075728
• Report Number(s): CONF-840561-
• Journal Information: Conf. Rec. IEEE Photovoltaic Spec. Conf.; (United States), Journal Name: Conf. Rec. IEEE Photovoltaic Spec. Conf.; (United States); ISSN CRCND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CRYSTAL GROWTH
CRYSTAL-PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EPITAXY
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
GLASS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
SATELLITES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT