Affordable High Performance Electromagnetically Clean Solar Arrays, Phase I

We propose an Electromagnetically Clean Solar Array (ECSA) with enhanced performance, in Watts/kg and Watts/m2, using flight proven, high efficiency solar cells. For electrostatic cleanliness, our innovation is to use large flat sheets of specially processed environmentally durable, ITO-coated DC93-500 transparent silicone material to replace the multitude of coverglasses and grounding components on a solar panel. For magnetic environments, we propose the use of a Kapton layer with a printed wiring pattern that mirrors the solar cell string to cancel magnetic moments. This metallized Kapton layer would replace the bare Kapton normally used as the solar panel substrate insulating front surface. A key innovation is to reduce the cost of solar panels by adapting the transparent shielding layer and the printed circuit layer with features to assemble solar cells into completely connected and wired panels using lamination. Features built into the layers position the Cell-Interconnect (CI) assemblies, solder pre-forms and wiring connections, allowing a one step process for "glassing," stringing, laydown and wiring. This eliminates the most costly labor and schedule intensive elements of conventional solar panel assembly. This research directly addresses the topic needs of providing electrostatic and magnetic cleanliness and affordability for flight proven solar panel technology. More »