Towards fully functional thin-film space solar cells

For more than 30 years, III-V solar cells have become the standard power source for satellites thanks to their high efficiency and strong radiation tolerance compared with silicon-based solar cells.

A team from Fraunhofer ISE is developing an innovative mask-and-plate approach to microfabricate III-V space solar cells without the use of photolithography or metal evaporation, a solution supported by the European Space Agency through its Discovery & Preparation element. The idea was submitted via ESA's Open Discovery Ideas Channel (OSIP).

Find out more here.