High-Altitude Space Solar Cell Calibration on Small Balloons

Abstract

The frequency of high altitude balloons flights for the purpose of AM0 calibration of solar cells has diminished substantially in the last decade. There is increasing interest in routine calibration flights to characterize the next generation of space solar cells, which have substantially different spectral response than the incumbent GaInP/InGaAs/Ge cells. This paper describes several ongoing efforts to restore high-altitude balloon solar cell calibration capability.