Accession Number:
AD0650114
Title:
INTEGRAL COVERS FOR SOLAR CELLS,
Descriptive Note:
Corporate Author:
AIR FORCE AERO PROPULSION LAB WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OHIO
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
1967-03-30
Pagination or Media Count:
24.0
Abstract:
Present integral cover configurations in the 1 to 2 mil thickness range can operate satisfactorily in space for extended time periods. Panel weight reductions of 40 percent are possible for one-year operation in space with a dose equivalent to 10 to the 13th power electrons per square centimeter per day by the use of 4-mil integral covers on thin, drift-field solar cells. A thorough cost-effectiveness analysis of this approach has not been conducted to-date, however. Proper design of these coatings can improve the efficiency of the cells through optimum spectral match and thus eliminates the requirements for adhesives, cover-slip layers, and the associated interference coatings required to reduce ultraviolet-darkening effects on the adhesives. The integral covers exhibit about the same degradation rate as the fused-silica cover slips. These coatings also permit higher temperature operation of solar cells for handling and annealing purposes as well as near-sun mission applications. Author
Descriptors:
Subject Categories:
- Electric Power Production and Distribution
- Coatings, Colorants and Finishes