Monolithic and mechanical multijunction space solar cells

Technical Report · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:7058951

Jain, R K; Flood, D J

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.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (United States). Lewis Research Center
• OSTI ID: 7058951
• Report Number(s): N-92-32233; NASA-TM--105832; E--7009-1; NAS--1.15:105832; CNN: RTOP 506-41-11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ANALOG SYSTEMS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
IRRADIATION
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POWER SUPPLIES
SIMULATORS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
SURVEYS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS