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Evaluation of thin‐film solar cell temperature coefficients for space applications
Author(s) -
Liu Simon H.,
Simburger Edward J.,
Matsumoto James,
Garcia Alexander,
Ross Jasen,
Nocerino John
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/pip.602
Subject(s) - solar cell , photovoltaic system , thin film , materials science , solar simulator , copper indium gallium selenide solar cells , solar cell efficiency , thermal , plasmonic solar cell , temperature coefficient , optics , optoelectronics , amorphous silicon , solar mirror , photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector , polymer solar cell , composite material , nanotechnology , crystalline silicon , meteorology , physics , electrical engineering , engineering
At present, commercially available thin‐film photovoltaic cells are evaluated for terrestrial applications. To apply thin‐film photovoltaic cells for space applications, the assessment of the solar cell performance must be conducted in simulated space conditions. We investigated the temperature coefficients of the I – V characteristics of thin‐film amorphous silicon (a‐Si) solar cells manufactured by Uni‐Solar and Iowa Thin Film Technologies, and CuInGaSe 2 (CIGS) solar cells manufactured by MicroSat Systems with simulated space solar radiation. The temperature coefficient of the thin‐film solar cells between temperatures of 15 and 100°C was measured with a temperature‐controlled vacuum plate. The vacuum plate ensures maximum thermal contact between the plate and the solar cell as well as reducing the thermal gradient in the solar cell. The vacuum plate also serves as a thermal reservoir that provides temperature stability during the performance evaluation when the solar cell is exposed to simulated sunlight radiation. An X‐25 sunlight simulator calibrated for AM0 conditions provides the necessary radiation in performance characterization of the thin‐film solar cell. The I – V characteristics of the solar cell were obtained at various temperatures to gain a thorough knowledge of the cell's performance at different temperatures. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.