Affordable Reliable Modular Solar Panels

Solar panels need reliability improvements while reaching for higher performance. This SBIR develops a Modular Solar Panel that uses an integral transparent cover/shield and stress control substrate, together with process-controlled production lamination techniques, to achieve an integrated engineering and manufacturing approach to solar panels. The MSP panels comprise Modules chosen from a set of qualified designs, using a plug-and-play removable attachment means to assemble modules into a panel. The Phase II program begins with a requirements definition phase that will direct the development towards MDA spacecraft while assuring modular applicability for a wide variety of mission. The MSP module and panel will be engineered through design, analyses, critical component material characterization, fabrication and test. Demonstration article will be built and tested that include designs for rigid Laminated Module with high efficiency crystalline solar cells, and a Flexible Metamorphic module that includes advanced thin metamorphic cells. Coupons, module and panel testing will cover a variety of simulated space environments to assure that the module design will have the end-of-life resistance to degradation expected of state-of-the-art spacecraft photovoltaics. Completion of Phase II effort will see the MSP technology ready for technology insertion into its first MDA application.