Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Large-Area, Multi-Junction, Epitaxial Lift-Off Solar Cells with Backside Contacts
Project Description
In this Phase I program we propose to develop an innovative fabrication process to introduce backside contacts to MicroLink Devices' large-area, multi-junction epitaxial lift-off (ELO) solar cells. This will enable a new solar cell technology with potential benefits for future NASA solar electric propulsion (SEP) programs using very large solar cell arrays. Backside contacts are used in the highest efficiency silicon solar cells manufactured by SunPower (>24% efficiency in production) but have never been successfully applied commercially to multi-junction solar cells. Benefits for large-area space solar cell include: higher device efficiency by reducing topside grid shadow and resistive losses, new approaches for panel assembly by placing contacts on backside of solar cell, and reduced arcing in high-voltage arrays by eliminating topside interconnects. The proposed technology builds on MicroLink Devices' low-cost, lightweight ELO solar cell technology and previous experience with backside contact solar cells for CPV applications.
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Anticipated Benefits
Future NASA solar electric propulsion (SEP) systems will require entirely new solar cell technologies that are high efficiency, lightweight, flexible as well as low cost. The very large solar cell arrays will also need new approaches to panel assembly to reduce weight and stowage volume during launch. The backside contact ELO solar cells to be developed in this program are an enabling technology that addresses many of these requirements.
There are many potential applications for this technology including commercial satellites and solar cell arrays for powering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). New generations of commercial satellites can benefit directly from technology advances made for future SEP solar arrays, including the lower cost, light weight and flexibility of MicroLink IMM ELO solar cells, as well as new approaches to panel assembly enabled by backside contacts. Solar arrays for UAVs are also an emerging market for lightweight, flexible, high-efficiency solar cells. The assembly of UAV solar arrays can be greatly simplified by attaching backside contact solar cells directly to Kapton sheets carrying patterned metal interconnects. More »
There are many potential applications for this technology including commercial satellites and solar cell arrays for powering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). New generations of commercial satellites can benefit directly from technology advances made for future SEP solar arrays, including the lower cost, light weight and flexibility of MicroLink IMM ELO solar cells, as well as new approaches to panel assembly enabled by backside contacts. Solar arrays for UAVs are also an emerging market for lightweight, flexible, high-efficiency solar cells. The assembly of UAV solar arrays can be greatly simplified by attaching backside contact solar cells directly to Kapton sheets carrying patterned metal interconnects. More »
Project Library
Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| MicroLink Devices, Inc. | Lead Organization |
Industry
Minority-Owned Business
|
Niles, Illinois |
Glenn Research Center
(GRC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Cleveland, Ohio |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Illinois
-
Ohio
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