Thin-Film Photovoltaic Proton and Electron Radiation Testing for a Meo Orbit

A radiation test plan for thin-film photovoltaic technologies focused on a MEO flight experiment is outlined. The proton and electron radiation response of thin film, amorphous Si solar cells and CuInGaSe ₂ solar cells, with and without space coatings, is presented. The degradation of the photovoltaic output under penetrating and junction-damaging proton irradiation, and 0.6 MeV and 1 MeV electron irradiation, is measured and examined. The experimental data are presented and analyzed. These data will form the basis for an on-orbit prediction model as applied to a high-radiation MEO orbit