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.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a power management system for a space vehicle, the system including: a photovoltaic array including a plurality of panels, wherein each panel includes one or more solar cell strings, each solar cell string including a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series to produce direct current (DC) power; at least one regulator module disposed on each of the one or more solar cell strings, the at least one regulator module being configured to condition the DC power produced by the one or more solar cell strings in the panel and supply it through at least one electrical connection line to the electrical power harness to route said power to a root power management unit; and an interface configured to transfer power produced by the photovoltaic array from the root power management unit to the vehicle, the interface having a first end configured to be connectable with the vehicle and a second end configured to be connectable with the photovoltaic array.

Abstract: Solar cell array assemblies or modules mounted on a space vehicle 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 sized and shaped to match portions of the panel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell comprising providing a first semiconductor substrate with an epitaxial sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell deposited over the first semiconductor substrate using an MOCVD reactor; depositing a metal layer on top of the sequence of layers of semiconductor material, the metal layer including a top surface layer composed of gold or silver; providing a polymer film; depositing a first metallic adhesion layer that has a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially different from that of the top surface layer on one surface of the polymer film; depositing a second metal adhesion layer over the first metallic adhesion layer and having a different composition from the first layer and having no chemical elements in common; and adjoining the second adhesion layer of the polymer film to the metal layer of the sequence of layers and permanently bonding it thereto by a thermocompressive diffusion bonding technique.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multijunction solar cell that includes: a first sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a first set of one or more solar subcells; a graded interlayer adjacent to said first sequence of layers; a second sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a second set of one or more solar subcells; and a high band gap contact layer adjacent said second sequence of layers, wherein the high band gap contact layer is composed of p++ type InGaAlAs or InGaAs.

Abstract: A flexible solar array and a method for fabricating the same is provided. The flexible solar array may include a flexible backing substrate with conductive trace(s) formed thereon; solar cell subassemblies 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, and attaching the solar cells 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: The present disclosure provides a solar cell array for deployment and use in a space environment, and methods of making same. The array includes a plurality of solar cells having an emissivity coating on the baskside of each, with each coated solar cell being attached to a supporting member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a solar cell that includes providing a semiconductor growth substrate; depositing on said growth substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; applying a metal contact layer over said sequence of layers; affixing the adhesive polyimide surface of a permanent supporting substrate directly over said metal contact layer and permanently bonding it thereto by a thermocompressive technique; and removing the semiconductor growth substrate.

Abstract: A multijunction solar cell assembly and its method of manufacture including interconnected first and second discrete semiconductor body subassemblies disposed adjacent and parallel to each other, each semiconductor body subassembly 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 subassemblies form at least a four junction solar cell by a series connection being formed between the bottom solar subcell in the first semiconductor body and the bottom solar subcell in the second semiconductor body.