Evaluation and testing of flexible thin-film photovoltaic (FTFPV) technology based on the UltraFlex solar array design

ABLE engineering's UltraFlex solar array platform, optimized specifically for integration of flexible thin-film photovoltaic (FTFPV) technology, represents a near-term, low-risk approach to demonstrating outstanding specific power performance by taking advantage of the inherent FTFPV attributes. ABLE has recently completed a NASA phase 2 SBIR program to mature and validate FTFPV blanket subassemblies as the electrical subsystem element within this unique structural platform. An overview of the program is presented, including: design, development, analysis, build/test and system level integration of both /spl alpha/-Si and CIGS FTFPV within an optimized UltraFlex solar array system. Subsystem and array system level test results are discussed, along with follow-on technology development and flight experiment plans.