Growing concerns about radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) performance potential, cost, safety, and availability have renewed interest in utilizing photovoltaic energy conversion for future JPL interplanetary missions such as the Mariner Mark II set. Although lightweight solar array technology has advanced to the point where it would appear to provide an alternative power source, anomalous silicon cell curve shape degradation at conditions of low intensity, low temperature (LILT) severely restricts photovoltaic applications for missions beyond 3 AU solar distance. In order to extend photovoltaic applications to distances of 5 AU, we have investigated ways to minimize the deleterious impact of LILT cell degradation. These investigations have ranged from consideration of individual cell selection for LILT behaviour to the examination of methods for reducing or eliminating cell LILT degradation by modifying the cell processing. Use of a partial oxide barrier between the cell N(+) contacts and the silicon has been shown, on a limited scale, to significantly reduce both the occurrence and magnitude of the LILT degradation.
Solar cell design for avoiding LILT degradation
Sonnenzellenentwurf zur Vermeidung der LILT-Degradation (niedrige Intensitaet, niedrige Tem)
1987
5 Seiten, 5 Bilder, 7 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
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