A 15.2% AMO/1433 W/kg thin-film Cu(In,Ga)Se/sub 2/ solar cell for space applications

Thin-film CIGS solar cells have been investigated for use in the space environment. The study includes deposition on lightweight metal substrates, measurement under AMO light, and irradiation by electrons and protons. A 15.2% AMO cell performance has been achieved, resulting in a specific power of 1433 W/kg and 1235 W/kg for bare and SiO/sub x/ "coverglass" cells, respectively. No degradation has been observed after e/sup -/ irradiation. A 24-cm/sup 2/ cell design has achieved 1100 W/kg specific power.