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Initial results for the silicon monolithically interconnected solar cell productThis proprietary technology is based on AstroPower's electrostatic bonding and innovative silicon solar cell processing techniques. Electrostatic bonding allows silicon wafers to be permanently attached to a thermally matched glass superstrate and then thinned to final thicknesses less than 25 micron. These devices are based on the features of a thin, light-trapping silicon solar cell: high voltage, high current, light weight (high specific power) and high radiation resistance. Monolithic interconnection allows the fabrication costs on a per watt basis to be roughly independent of the array size, power or voltage, therefore, the cost effectiveness to manufacture solar cell arrays with output powers ranging from milliwatts up to four watts and output voltages ranging from 5 to 500 volts will be similar. This compares favorably to conventionally manufactured, commercial solar cell arrays, where handling of small parts is very labor intensive and costly. In this way, a wide variety of product specifications can be met using the same fabrication techniques. Prototype solar cells have demonstrated efficiencies greater than 11%. An open-circuit voltage of 5.4 volts, fill factor of 65%, and short-circuit current density of 28 mA/sq cm at AM1.5 illumination are typical. Future efforts are being directed to optimization of the solar cell operating characteristics as well as production processing. The monolithic approach has a number of inherent advantages, including reduced cost per interconnect and increased reliability of array connections. These features make this proprietary technology an excellent candidate for a large number of consumer products.
Document ID
19960007889
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Dinetta, L. C.
(Astropower, Inc. Newark, DE, United States)
Shreve, K. P.
(Astropower, Inc. Newark, DE, United States)
Cotter, J. E.
(Astropower, Inc. Newark, DE, United States)
Barnett, A. M.
(Astropower, Inc. Newark, DE, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Lewis Research Center, Proceedings of the 14th Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology Conference (SPRAT 14)
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Accession Number
96N15055
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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