Ellen Mae Linder

US Patent:

6407327, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Apr 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/547687

Inventors:

Eugene Ralph - San Gabriel CA
Ellen B. Linder - Whittier CA
James P. Hanley - Simi Valley CA
Mark DeWitt - Simi Valley CA
James R. Walle - Moorpark CA
Norman L. Beze - Simi Valley CA

Assignee:

Tecstar Power Systems, Inc. - City of Industry CA

International Classification:

H01L 31042

US Classification:

136244, 136292, 136256

Abstract:

A radiation tolerant solar cell array module which can be efficiently assembled into a larger solar panel to generate power for a spacecraft the module includes at least first and second single-crystal solar cells. The first and second solar cells have front sides and back sides. At least one of the solar cells has a shallow junction N on P structure. A first contact is formed on at least the back side of the first solar cell. A second contact formed on at least the back side of the second solar cell. A conductor is in electrical communication with the first contact and the second contact. A substantially transparent ceria-doped cover overlays at least a portion of each of the solar cells. The cover remains substantially transparent when exposed to an AM space radiation environment. A substantially transparent adhesive is situated between the cover and the solar cell portions. The adhesive remains substantially transparent when exposed to a space radiation environment.

US Patent:

61569674, Dec 5, 2000

Filed:

Jun 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/090663

Inventors:

Eugene Ralph - San Gabriel CA
Ellen B. Linder - Whittier CA
James P. Hanley - Simi Valley CA
Mark DeWitt - Simi Valley CA
James R. Walle - Moorpark CA
Norman L. Beze - Simi Valley CA

Assignee:

Tecstar Power Systems, Inc. - CA

International Classification:

H01L 31042
H01L 3105

US Classification:

136244

Abstract:

A radiation tolerant solar cell array module which can be efficiently assembled into a larger solar panel to generate power for a spacecraft the module includes at least first and second single-crystal solar cells. The first and second solar cells have front sides and back sides. At least one of the solar cells has a shallow junction N on P structure. A first contact is formed on at least the back side of the first solar cell. A second contact formed on at least the back side of the second solar cell. A conductor is in electrical communication with the first contact and the second contact. A substantially transparent ceria-doped cover overlays at least a portion of each of the solar cells. The cover remains substantially transparent when exposed to an AM0 space radiation environment. A substantially transparent adhesive is situated between the cover and the solar cell portions.