Title :
Lightweight CuInSe2 space solar cells fabricated by chemical thinning
Author :
Kim, N.P. ; Nielsen, J.A. ; Verzwyvelt, M.A.
Author_Institution :
Boeing Defense & Space Group, Seattle, WA, USA
Abstract :
Development of lightweight CuInSe2 (CIS) solar cells for space power applications is presented. Fabrication of the cells utilized a chemical thinning process after the CIS device structures had been formed on thick substrates by co-evaporation CIS deposition. It incorporated bilayer device protection during chemical etching. A cell specific power of 520 W/kg was achieved. A potential for specific powers of up to 650 W/kg has been demonstrated. Efficiencies as high as 9.2% AM0 were achieved using a 7.76 cm2 cell design. Weight for a 2×2 in2 substrate was reduced to as low as 0.5 g. Viability of this CIS device in the space environment was also demonstrated
Keywords :
copper compounds; etching; indium compounds; photovoltaic power systems; semiconductor device testing; semiconductor growth; semiconductor thin films; solar cells; space vehicle power plants; substrates; ternary semiconductors; vapour deposited coatings; vapour deposition; 0.5 g; 2 inch; 9.2 percent; CuInSe2; CuInSe2 space power solar cells; bilayer device protection; chemical etching; chemical thinning fabrication process; co-evaporation deposition; lightweight solar cells; space environment; specific power; thick substrates; Chemicals; Computational Intelligence Society; Costs; Fabrication; Glass; Photovoltaic cells; Space technology; Stability; Substrates; Transistors;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1996., Conference Record of the Twenty Fifth IEEE
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3166-4
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1996.563993
