Advances in thin-film solar cells for lightweight space photovoltaic power
The present stature and current research directions of photovoltaic arrays as primary power systems for space are reviewed. There have recently been great advances in the technology of thin-film solar cells for terrestrial applications. In a thin-film solar cell the thickness of the active element is only a few microns; transfer of this technology to space arrays could result in ultralow-weight solar arrays with potentially large gains in specific power. Recent advances in thin-film solar cells are reviewed, including polycrystalline copper-indium selenide (CuInSe2) and related I-III-VI2 compounds, polycrystalline cadmium telluride and related II-VI compounds, and amorphous silicon:hydrogen and alloys. The best experimental efficiency on thin-film solar cells to date is 12 percent AMO for CuInSe2. This efficiency is likely to be increased in the next few years. The radiation tolerance of thin-film materials is far greater than that of single-crystal materials. CuInSe2 shows no degradation when exposed to 1 MeV electrons. Experimental evidence also suggests that most of all of the radiation damage on thin-films can be removed by a low temperature anneal. The possibility of thin-film multibandgap cascade solar cells is discussed, including the tradeoffs between monolithic and mechanically stacked cells. The best current efficiency for a cascade is 12.5 percent AMO for an amorphous silicon on CuInSe2 multibandgap combination. Higher efficiencies are expected in the future. For several missions, including solar-electric propulsion, a manned Mars mission, and lunar exploration and manufacturing, thin-film photovolatic arrays may be a mission-enabling technology.
- Research Organization:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 5454862
- Report Number(s):
- N-89-26041; NASA-TM-102017; E-4734; NAS-1.15:102017; CONF-8906169-
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International Astronautics Federation conference on space power, Cleveland, OH (USA), 5-7 Jun 1989
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
SOLAR CELLS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CADMIUM TELLURIDE SOLAR CELLS
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ELECTRON BEAMS
INDIUM SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
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140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion