The effects of radiation and annealing on amorphous silicon solar cell space arrays

This study centers on an ongoing effort to develop large area amorphous silicon (α-Si) solar cells for space applications. Such units are routinely commercially mass produced for terrestrial use. Of major importance, however, is their behavior in radiation environments. Compared to conventional crystalline cells, α-Si devices have the advantages of being very low cost, large area (⩾12×13 in.), extremely thin (2 μ), of minimal weight, flexible and monolithically interconnectable. Although these cells have considerable lower AM0 beginning of life (BOL) efficiencies compared to crystalline silicon and gallium arsenide on germanium (GaAs/Ge) space cells approximately 10% versus 13.5% and 18.2% respectively-the key consideration centers upon end of life (EOL) power which, in turn, is dependent upon a mission having a specific radiation environment