A new thin-film space PV module technology

Author

Fabick, L.B. ; Yehle, A. ; Scott, S. ; Crume, B. ; Jensen, G. ; Armstrong, J.

Author_Institution

ITN Energy Syst., Littleton, CO, USA

fYear

2002

fDate

19-24 May 2002

Firstpage

971

Lastpage

973

Abstract

ITN Energy Systems has developed a new thin-film space PV module technology based on copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar cells deposited on flexible 25 μm. (1 mil.) stainless steel substrates. The cells are constructed into modules using a welded contact technology that acts as both the electrical and structural interconnection between cells; Thus, the cell string does not require a supporting substrate. Coatings are applied to increase the emissivity and lower the on-orbit operating temperature. An electro-static discharge (ESD) layer is also applied for charge dissipation to mitigate interaction with the space environment. Preliminary thermal cycle test data indicates the technology is robust relative to the space environment.

Keywords

copper compounds; electrostatic discharge; gallium compounds; indium compounds; semiconductor device measurement; semiconductor materials; semiconductor thin films; solar cells; stainless steel; thermal stability; 25 micron; CIGS; CuInGaSe₂; ESD; ITN Energy Systems; electro-static discharge layer; flexible stainless steel substrates; solar cells; thermal cycle test; thin-film space PV module technology; welded contact technology; Copper; Gallium compounds; Indium; Photovoltaic cells; Space technology; Sputtering; Steel; Substrates; Transistors; Welding;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2002. Conference Record of the Twenty-Ninth IEEE

ISSN

1060-8371

Print_ISBN

0-7803-7471-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.2002.1190761

Filename

1190761