High Efficiency Stretchable (Highly Conformable) Photovoltaics for Expeditionary Forces

This Phase II effort will establish photovoltaics modules that offer high efficiency (>12%) and can be flexed, stretched, twisted, and deformed (to strains of>30%) in ways that enable conformable wrapping of complex, curvilinear shapes and fabrics. The application opportunities for photovoltaics using this approach include systems that intimately integrate with the curved surfaces of structural components of aircrafts, boats, and land vehicles, and those that can mount on the surfaces of garments, personal accessories, or the human body itself. We combine multi-junction and multi-stacked solar microcells with non-coplanar mesh of metal interconnects supported by thin elastomeric substrates to achieve high density, conformal arrays solar microcells optimized for specific power output. Phase II will culminate with the field testing of working prototypes of solar modules to position the program for successful integration of modules into expeditionary force equipment platforms in Phase III.