Monolithic and mechanical multijunction space solar cells

Journal Article · Sat May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Journal of Solar Energy Engineering; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2930027· OSTI ID:6158159

Jain, R K; Flood, D J ^[1]

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1. NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH (United States)

High-efficiency, lightweight, radiation-resistant solar cells are essential to meet the large power requirements of future space missions. Single-junction cells are limited in efficiency. Higher cell efficiencies could be realized by developing multijunction, multibandgap solar cells. Monolithic and mechanically stacked tandem solar cells surpassing single-junction cell efficiencies have been fabricated. This article surveys the current status of monolithic and mechanically stacked multibandgap space solar cells, and outlines problems yet to be resolved. The monolithic and mechanically stacked cells each have their own problems related to size, processing, current and voltage matching, weight, and other factors. More information is needed on the effect of temperature and radiation on the cell performance. Proper reference cells and full-spectrum range simulators are also needed to measure efficiencies correctly. Cost issues are not addressed, since the two approaches are still in the developmental stage.

• OSTI ID: 6158159
• Journal Information: Journal of Solar Energy Engineering; (United States), Vol. 115:2, Issue 2; ISSN 0199-6231
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
CASCADE SOLAR CELLS
GRADED BAND GAPS
SOLAR SIMULATORS
SPACE VEHICLE COMPONENTS
SPACE VEHICLES
ANALOG SYSTEMS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POWER SUPPLIES
SIMULATORS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
VEHICLES
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems