Degradation of CdS Thin Film Solar Cells in Different Environments

Abstract

Cadmium sulfide thin film cells were operated under different bias conditions for periods of six months in the following environments: vacuum thermal cycling between -160 and 60C, constant illumination in vacuum and in dry oxygen at 60C. The results were compared to the degradation of test cells in synchronous orbit. It was concluded from the observed changes in the I-V characteristics that the degradation is caused primarily by a combination of light and temperature and not by purely thermal stresses. The presence of a vacuum does not appear to be a significant contributory factor to the ultimate degradation of the cells.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 06, 1970
Accession Number
AD0715285

Entities

People

  • Alan G. Stanley

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Force
  • Air Masses
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cells
  • Compound Semiconductors
  • Environment
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Films
  • Illumination
  • Short Circuits
  • Solar Cells
  • Stresses
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Thermal Cycling Tests
  • Thermal Stresses
  • Thin Films

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites