26 Percent Efficient, Triple Junction
Cascade^® Space PV Solar Cells

TECSTAR, Inc.

City of Industry, CA

Total integration of the research approach with manufacturability of current dual-junction cell production with future triple-junction cell enhancement

• Optimized a two-junction GalnP₂/GaAs Cascade^® solar cell
• Integrated a Ge cell as the third lower cell
• Built a multijunction Cascade^® solar cell that exceeded the 26% efficiency goal, presently 27.1% efficient.
• Validated the multijunction Cascade^® cell for space qualification & production readiness

• Doubled solar cell capability. Very firm market for low earth orbit and synchronous orbit applications
• Supplied GRC with a small array after Phase II.
• Production orders exceeding $50M ongoing in support of a leading satellite prime contractor through 2001
• Delivered four flight qualified multijunction solar panels to NASA for $100K contract price. Will fly on NASA/DOD/DERA STRV-C/D Satellites in year 2000

• Temperature and radiation characteristics of these solar cells are advantageous for near sun missions and high voltage operation
• Important to payload capabilities of very small satellites
• Will reduce cost of launch and station keeping

Return to NASA SBIR Success Listings