Large area solar cells for future space power systems |
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Authors: | Lillington DR Cavicchi BT Gillanders MS Crotty GT Krut DD |
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Institution: | Spectrolab Inc., Sylmar, CA; |
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Abstract: | Space silicon solar cell technology has matured to the extent that large-area planar silicon cells can be fabricated in sizes up to 8 cm×8 cm with efficiencies up to approximately 15%. In order to achieve substantially higher efficiencies, cells based on GaAs are required. It is shown that, subject to certain boundary conditions, the efficiency of GaAs/Ge cells can reach 24% when used in the dual-junction configuration or approximately 19.5% if the Ge substrate is passive. The electrooptical properties of these cells are reviewed, and prospects for achieving these efficiency goals are presented. Experimental performance data are given |
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