Abstract: The disclosure describes multi-junction solar cell structures that include two or more graded interlayers.

Abstract: A multijunction solar cell includes an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap, a second solar subcell having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap, and a first graded interlayer composed of (InxGa1-x)yAl1-yAs adjacent to the second solar subcell. The first graded interlayer has a third band gap greater than the second band gap subject to the constraints of having the in-plane lattice parameter greater or equal to that of the second subcell and less than or equal to that of the third subcell, wherein 0<x<1 and 0<y<1, and x and y are selected such that the band gap of the first graded interlayer remains constant throughout its thickness at 1.5 eV. A third solar subcell is adjacent to the first graded interlayer and has a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to the second subcell.

Abstract: A multijunction solar cell includes an upper first solar subcell, a second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell, a third solar subcell adjacent to the second solar subcell, and a graded interlayer adjacent to the third solar subcell. The graded interlayer has a band gap that is greater than the band gap of the third solar subcell and is composed of a compositionally step-graded series of (InxGa1-x)yAl1-yAs layers with monotonically changing lattice constant, with x and y having respective values such that the band gap of the graded interlayer remains constant throughout its thickness, and wherein 0<x<1 and 0<y<1. A fourth solar subcell is adjacent to the graded interlayer and is lattice mismatched with respect to the third solar subcell. The graded interlayer provides a transition in lattice constant from the third solar subcell to the fourth solar subcell. A lower fifth solar subcell is adjacent to the fourth solar subcell.

Abstract: A multijunction solar cell assembly of two or more spatially split solar cell subassemblies, each of which includes a respective monolithic semiconductor body composed of a tandem stack of solar subcells, where the subassemblies are interconnected electrically to one another so that a series electrical circuit is formed between groups of one or more subcells in each subassembly. In some cases, relatively high band gap semiconductor materials can be used for the upper subcells. The solar cell assemblies can be particularly advantageous for applications in space.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of fabricating a multijunction solar cell panel in which one or more of the steps are performed using an automated process. In some embodiments, the automated process uses machine vision.

Abstract: A multijunction solar cell including an upper first solar subcell having a first band gap and positioned for receiving an incoming light beam; a second solar subcell disposed below and adjacent to and lattice matched with said upper first solar subcell, and having a second band gap smaller than said first band gap; wherein the upper first solar subcell covers less than the entire upper surface of the second solar subcell, leaving an exposed portion of the second solar subcell that lies in the path of the incoming light beam.

Abstract: A solar cell panel or assembly including a string of solar cells, each solar cell having an oblique cut corner defining a space; a blocking diode positioned in correspondence with the space defined by said oblique cut corner; a first contact member connecting said blocking diode with the solar cell; a second contact member to connect said blocking diode to a metal bus bar; and a resistive element, connected in parallel to the blocking diode, between the first and the second contact members.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell assembly for streamlined bodies are provided. The solar cell assembly may be prepared on an assembly fixture. The solar cell assembly may then be removed from the assembly fixture and positioned on a top surface of the streamlined body. In examples, the solar cell assembly comprises a first film, an array of solar cells on top of the first film, and a second silicone film deposited over the solar cells.

Abstract: A solar assembly or module comprising a plurality of solar cells and a support, the support comprising a conductive layer or back plane on each planar side. Each one of the plurality of solar cells is placed on the first conductive portion with the first contact electrically connected to the first conductive portion so that the solar cells are connected in parallel through the first conductive portion. A second contact of each solar cell can be connected to the second conductive portion so that the first and second conductive portions form terminals of opposite conductivity type. The modules can be interconnected to form a string or an electrical series connection of discrete modules by overlapping and bonding the first terminal of a first module with the second terminal of a second module.

Abstract: Solar cell array assemblies or modules and methods of making and using such solar cell array assemblies or modules, having discrete predefined pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) regions thereon. In certain embodiments, the solar cell array modules may be conveniently mounted on the surface of a panel of a space vehicle or satellite with the discrete predefined PSA regions.

Abstract: A flexible solar array for a spacecraft or aviation craft including a flexible backing substrate with conductive trace(s) formed thereon; solar cell subassemblies disposed over the flexible backing substrate, each of the solar cell subassemblies at least including a solar cell; and an adhesive layer interposed between the solar cell subassemblies and the flexible backing substrate, with the solar cell attached to the flexible backing substrate. The adhesive layer includes openings for exposing the corresponding conductive traces so that the exposed metal traces are adaptable to interconnect the solar cells of the respective adjacent solar cell subassemblies through the openings.

Abstract: A multijunction solar cell and its method of manufacture including interconnected first and second discrete semiconductor regions disposed adjacent and parallel to each other in a single semiconductor body, including first top subcell, second (and possibly third) lattice matched middle subcells; a graded interlayer adjacent to the last middle solar subcell; and a bottom solar subcell adjacent to said graded interlayer being lattice mismatched with respect to the last middle solar subcell; wherein the interconnected regions form at least a four junction solar cell by a series connection being formed between the bottom solar subcell in the first semiconductor region and the bottom solar subcell in the second semiconductor region.

Abstract: A solar assembly or module comprising a plurality of solar cells and a support, the support comprising a conductive layer or back plane on each planar side. Each one of the plurality of solar cells is placed on the first conductive portion with the first contact electrically connected to the first conductive portion so that the solar cells are connected in parallel through the first conductive portion. A second contact of each solar cell can be connected to the second conductive portion so that the first and second conductive portions form terminals of opposite conductivity type. The modules can be interconnected to form a string or an electrical series connection of discrete modules by overlapping and bonding the first terminal of a first module with the second terminal of a second module.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multijunction solar cell comprising: an upper solar subcell having an indirect band gap semiconductor emitter layer composed of greater than 0.8 but less than 1.0 mole fraction aluminum and a base layer, the emitter layer and the base layer forming a heterojunction solar subcell; and a lower solar subcell disposed beneath the upper solar subcell, wherein the lower solar subcell has an emitter layer and a base layer forming a photoelectric junction. In some embodiments, the emitter layer of the upper solar subcell is an n-type AlxGa1-xAs layer with 0.8<x<1.0 and having a band gap of greater than 2.0 eV.

Abstract: A multijunction solar cell and its method of manufacture including interconnected first and second discrete semiconductor regions disposed adjacent and parallel to each other in a single semiconductor body, including first top subcell, second (and possibly third) lattice matched middle subcells; and a bottom solar subcell adjacent to said last middle subcell and lattice matched thereto; wherein the interconnected regions form at least a four junction solar cell by a series connection being formed between the bottom solar subcell in the first semiconductor region and the bottom solar subcell in the second semiconductor region.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multijunction solar cell including growing interconnected first and second discrete semiconductor regions disposed adjacent and parallel to each other in a single semiconductor body, including first top subcell, second (and possibly third) lattice matched middle subcells; a graded interlayer adjacent to the last middle solar subcell; and a bottom solar subcell adjacent to said graded interlayer being lattice mismatched with respect to the last middle solar subcell; wherein the interconnected regions form at least a four junction solar cell by a series connection being formed between the bottom solar subcell in the first semiconductor region and the bottom solar subcell in the second semiconductor region.