Highly Efficient Thin Film Photovoltaic for High Altitude Airships(1000-428)

Missile defense systems use high altitude airships (HAA) that needs power source for altitudes of 65,000 feet and more. High efficiency lightweight thin film photovoltaics arrays are ideal candidates for fulfilling this requirement. However, there are several challenges that need to be overcome to produce this thin photovoltaic for space power applications. During Phase I, Triton Systems Inc. proposes to demonstrate the feasibility of developing high efficiency thin Photovoltaics arrays based on Copper Indium galliun Di-Selenide (CIGS) solar cell. In order to overcome the challenges of cost effectiveness and higher efficiency CIGS, Triton will employ a proprietary method to produce a high-temperature capable, lightweight substrate(s) suitable for monolithic integration.Trition will conduct trade studies with these substrates and further compare the cost effectiveness of this approach to the other alternative solar cells. During Phase II, we will develop large area thin film solar cell technology based on Phase I data.