Path to a drop-in replacement for current technologies with the 33%, large area, IMM cell

Abstract

The triple-junction inverted-metamorphic (IMM-3) air-mass-zero (AM0) solar cell is a high-efficiency photovoltaic device with nearly optimized band-gaps for the solar spectrum. We discuss the path forward for a drop-in replacement of the conventional, 3J lattice-matched germanium based solar cell with an IMM-3 space solar cell. The IMM space solar cell can support several form factors, from flexible to rigid carriers, but a configuration similar to standard space solar cells could be quickly adopted into current panel configurations. The goal of the IMM development team has been to provide a stable processing platform that is also compatible with current solar panel configurations. The superstrate configuration has been the platform used for much of the IMM development to date. We discuss this form factor, as well as other alternatives to achieve a robust cell replacement form factor capable of successfully completing the AIAA-S111 space qualification.