Development status of triple-junction solar cells optimized for low intensity low temperature applications

Abstract

Latest results of 3G28 triple-junction solar cells manufactured by AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH under low intensity low temperature (LILT) conditions are reported. Excellent beginning of life (BOL) efficiencies in the order of 35% at 50W/m <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> and −150°C have been realized on a large number of cells with standard and LILT optimized design. Furthermore, temperature dependent irradiation tests with 1 MeV electrons and 1 MeV protons have been performed on LILT optimized 3G28 solar cells. Initial results show some indications of temperature annealing but also other stabilization effects already present at LILT conditions.