article tools
Increase Text Size Increase Text Size Decreate Text Size Decrease Text Size
Share Email This Story Share Share This Story Reader comments Reader Comments (0) Add to favorites Add to Bookmarks Printer friendly version Printer Friendly Version
Article Tool Sponsor:

Advertise with us

More Jobs
Previous Article
Next Article
View All
0 ratings - Sign-in to rate this article
August 16, 2005

Lightweight Solar Cells for Space and Defense

Auburn Hills, Michigan [RenewableEnergyAccess.com]

United Solar Ovonic announced that the Air Force Research Laboratory (Kirtland AFB, NM) has awarded the company a $6.7 million, 18-month contract to continue development of its ultra-lightweight, high-efficiency solar cell technology for use in space and airship vehicles addressing defense and homeland security applications.

"This is a valuable technology that will be very beneficial to AFRL and to our nation's security."
--Subhendu Guha, President and COO of United Solar Ovonic

"Our performance goals for the next generation solar arrays include lighter, more stowable and lower cost than those currently available," said Donna Senft, Program Manager of the AFRL Advanced Power Generation Program at Kirtland AFB.

United Solar Ovonic's triple-junction modules, originally developed for terrestrial applications, are made of amorphous silicon-based thin-film alloys, which are deposited on a 5-mil flexible stainless steel substrate. The radiation hardness and superior high-temperature performance of amorphous silicon make it an attractive material for space application. By using a polymeric substrate, the new space cells will have a specific power density greater than 1000 W/kg. Lightweight solar is particularly crucial for space-based applications.

"This is a valuable technology that will be very beneficial to AFRL and to our nation's security," said Subhendu Guha, President and COO of United Solar Ovonic.

United Solar Ovonic recently broke ground for a second 25-MW module manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan due to growing demand for its solar products.
For Further Information
Please Note: RenewableEnergyWorld.com does not endorse the sites behind these links. We offer them for your additional research. Following these links will open a new browser window.
Previous Article
Next Article
View All
Reader Comments (0)
 
Add Your Comment

Registered users, please make sure to Sign-In. We and others want to know your ideas and opinions. If you are not yet Registered -- it's quick and easy. Just click below.
Thanks!

Register Now   Sign-In
Featured Total Access Partners
Click company logos to learn more
GreenBeat Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference Third Sun Solar and Wind Power, Ltd. SolarCraft Photovoltaics World HUBER+SUHNER
WORLD'S #1 RENEWABLE ENERGY NETWORK
World's #1 Renewable Energy Network Logo