Title :
Manufacturing experience with GaInP2/GaAs/Ge solar panels for space demonstration
Author :
Linder, E.B. ; Hanley, J.P.
Author_Institution :
TECSTAR Inc., City of Industry, CA, USA
Abstract :
TECSTAR has begun production of dual-junction GaInP2/GaAs/Ge solar cells for space power applications and has used these high-performance cells to manufacture several solar panels for critical technology demonstration. All cell and panel manufacturing was performed at TECSTAR´s existing facilities using standard processing techniques. Hardware has been developed for the NASA SSTI “Clark” and “Lewis” spacecraft (launch 1996), NASA TRACE (launch 1998) and the Phillips Laboratory Mightysat I (launch 1998). Additionally, a panel coupon has been built for laboratory evaluation. These important technology demonstration activities are reported, including performance results
Keywords :
III-V semiconductors; elemental semiconductors; gallium arsenide; gallium compounds; germanium; indium compounds; p-n heterojunctions; photovoltaic power systems; project engineering; solar cell arrays; solar cells; space vehicle power plants; GaInP2-GaAs-Ge; GaInP2-GaAs-Ge solar panels; critical technology demonstration; dual-junction space power solar cells; laboratory evaluation; manufacturing experience; panel coupon; performance results; space demonstration; spacecraft; standard processing techniques; Aerospace industry; Assembly; Cities and towns; Gallium arsenide; Laboratories; Manufacturing; NASA; Photovoltaic cells; Space technology; Temperature;
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.1996.563998
