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ALL BACK CONTACT ULTRA-THIN GaAs SOLAR CELL WITH ZERO GRID OBSCURATION

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
25820 		Program Year/Program:
1995 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
25820 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
ASTROPOWER, INC.
Solar Park Newark, DE 19716
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Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 1995
Title: ALL BACK CONTACT ULTRA-THIN GaAs SOLAR CELL WITH ZERO GRID OBSCURATION
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: N/A
Award Amount: $592,035.00
 

Abstract:

AstroPower proposes to develop a lightweight, high performance, ultra-thin electrostatically bonded GaAs solar cell with an all back contact, zero-grid obscuration structure. The unique design incorporates light trapping, adhesiveless cover slide bonding, and eliminates grid shading. This innovation will increase efficiency and specific power due to the higer open circuit voltage and short circuit current obtainable from a properly designed thin device. The specific power for this novel solar cell is projected to be 3549 W/kg for an AMO efficiency of 24.5%. Thermal stability and tolerance to UV degradation are inherent to the thin device structure and electrostatically bonded 3-mil cover slide. Successful development of this technology will result in a revolutionary improvement in survivability performance, and manufacturability of lightweight GaAs solar cell products for future Earth-orbiting science and space exploration missions.

Principal Investigator:

Margaret Hannon
3023660400

Business Contact:

Small Business Information at Submission:

Astropower, Inc.
Solar Park Newark, NJ 19716

EIN/Tax ID:
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No