There is a recent interest to reduce the cost of solar modules for space applications. Polycrystalline thin film solar cells of CdTe are potentially important because of their low cost, high efficiency and stable performance. One of the important requirements for space application is the stability of solar cells against high-energy proton and electron irradiation. CdTe solar cells of 10 to 12% efficiency were irradiated with high-energy protons of different energy (5 to 15 MeV) and fluence (1011 cm-2 to 1013 cm-2) to determine their radiation tolerance. A comparison of the photovoltaic performance of various cells show that the Voc and f.f. of irradiated cells increase or decrease depending on the fluence. Irradiation can create or passivate the electronic defects in CdTe layers. Quantum efficiency measurements indicate that high fluence (1013 cm-2) can affect the carrier collection efficiency. Flexible CdTe/CdS solar cells were prepared using a novel polymer substrate. The choice of an appropriate substrate is essential for good performance. An efficiency of 8.6% for flexible cells was obtained. Our measurements show that the CdTe solar cells are highly stable under proton flux and further developments of lightweight and flexible cells will make them attractive for space applications.
Potential of CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells for Space Application
ROMEO, Alessandro;
2002-01-01
Abstract
There is a recent interest to reduce the cost of solar modules for space applications. Polycrystalline thin film solar cells of CdTe are potentially important because of their low cost, high efficiency and stable performance. One of the important requirements for space application is the stability of solar cells against high-energy proton and electron irradiation. CdTe solar cells of 10 to 12% efficiency were irradiated with high-energy protons of different energy (5 to 15 MeV) and fluence (1011 cm-2 to 1013 cm-2) to determine their radiation tolerance. A comparison of the photovoltaic performance of various cells show that the Voc and f.f. of irradiated cells increase or decrease depending on the fluence. Irradiation can create or passivate the electronic defects in CdTe layers. Quantum efficiency measurements indicate that high fluence (1013 cm-2) can affect the carrier collection efficiency. Flexible CdTe/CdS solar cells were prepared using a novel polymer substrate. The choice of an appropriate substrate is essential for good performance. An efficiency of 8.6% for flexible cells was obtained. Our measurements show that the CdTe solar cells are highly stable under proton flux and further developments of lightweight and flexible cells will make them attractive for space applications.
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