LIPS III light funnel experiment

Results from the Boeing light funnel experiment aboard the LIPS III satellite are presented. The experiment involves a hardened GaAs solar array utilizing total internal reflection light funnel concentrators. The data indicate that the light funnel and GaAs concentrator cells are functioning as expected. The experimental configuration allows the separation of degradation contributions from the individual components of the array. The major source of degradation was not related to the concentrator element or cell but rather to an adhesive coupling between the cell and funnel, a material not incorporated in later designs. The results are based on the data collected during the first 1.5 yr of this space experiment