PseudoMorphic Glass to enable high efficiency space photovoltaic devices

Solar cell manufacturers have indicated that new, high efficiency solar cells will require coverglass with higher UV transmittance than currently existing materials. To date, fused silica is the only known solution but has several significant technical and cost challenges. In addition, new solar cells demonstrating record efficiency and extreme flexibility have been developed. Integrating these advanced devices with traditional coverglasses limits the ability to take advantage of novel packaging options, such as rolled blankets. A new coverglass replacement technology has been developed, termed PseudoMorphic Glass (PMG), which has the potential to meet these needs. PMG has the potential to provide the high UV spectral transmissivity required for next generation solar cells in a robust, flexible and fully encapsulating format.