The current status of indium phosphide solar cell research is reviewed. In the US program, mainly under the aegis of the NASA Lewis Research Center, efficiencies of 18.8 % were achieved for standard n/p homojunction InP cells while 17 % was achieved for ITO/InP cells processed by sputtering n-type indium tin oxide onto p-type indium phosphide. The latter represents a cheaper, simpler processing alternative. Computer modeling calculations indicate that efficiencies of over 21 % are feasible. Initial efforts to produce cheaper, lighter weight and stronger cells are focused toward epitaxial deposition of InP on cheaper, more durable, substrates such as Si. InP solar cells on board the LIPS III satellite show no degradation after more than a year in orbit. Calculated array specific powers are used to estimate the relative performance of arrays containing InP, GaAs and Si, in polar and geosynchronous orbits. Relatively large area cells are produced in Japan with a maximum efficiency of 16.6 %. Over 1000 of these latter cells have been manufactured to power a small lunar orbiter on board the Japanese MUSES A satellite.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Indium Phosphid solar cells - recent developments and estimated performance in space


    Additional title:

    Indiumphosphid-Solarzellen - neuere Entwicklungen und ihr Verhalten im Raum


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Space Power ; 9 , 1 ; 3-14


    Publication date :

    1990


    Size :

    12 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 32 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Recent Developments in Indium Phosphide Space Solar Cell Research

    Brinker, David J. / Weinberg, Irving | AIAA | 1987


    Recent developments in GaAs solar cells

    Kamath, G.S. | Tema Archive | 1983


    Recent developments in evaporated CdTe solar cells

    Khrypunov, G. | Online Contents | 2006



    Recent Developments on Space Missions to the Solar Foci

    Maccone, C. / G Colombo Centre for Astrodynamics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994