Conducting strips mechanically and electrically connect individual solar cells into a linear array of cells, called a solar submodule, and then connect in series two or more submodules to form a solar cell matrix. Tiny perforations in the strip make it easy to solder them directly to the individual solar cells

Yasui, R. K.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1967	 Brief 67-10503 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Composite Solar Cell Matrix Is Reliable,

Lightweight and Flexible 
12-CELL MATRIX IN EARLY STAGE OF ASSEMBLY 
The problem:	 The solution: 
To devise a method for connecting, mechanically
	 A novel configuration of conducting strips, which 
and electrically, individual solar cells to form a solar
	 mechanically and electrically connect small individual 
cell matrix. Previously, strips of metal of various con-
	 solar cells into a linear array of cells, called a solar 
figurations were used to connect cells into linear sub-
	 submodule, and then connect in series two or more 
modules and then into matrices. These strips, how-
	 submodules to form a solar cell matrix. The conduct-
ever, were difficult to solder and did not meet the
	 ing strips, usually chemically etched out of a sheet of 
requirements necessary for use with semiautomatic
	 metal, are reliable, lightweight, and flexible under 
fabrication equipment.
	 stress. Tiny perforations in the conducting strip at set 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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positions make it easy to solder them directly to the 
individual solar cells, eliminating the additional weight 
of mounting adhesives. 
How it's done: 
The composite solar cell matrix consists of individ-
ual solar cells, conducting strips, a board insulating 
panel, and an insulating board. The figure shows a 
12-cell matrix in an early, stage of assembly. 
• Each individual solar cell is soldered to the circular 
parts of the conducting strips, which are perforated 
to permit ease of fluxing and soldering. Three individ-
ual cells, soldered to one conducting strip, make up a 
submodule. Two very small segments of the conduct-
ing strip are visible between adjacent solar cells. 
Should the submodule be exposed to a flexing stress, 
it should flex at these points. 
After soldering, the submodule is pasted with a 
silicone type adhesive to a 3-mil-thick H-film insula-
tion sheet to protect the back of the solar cells and 
soldered joints from air, humidity, and corrosion. 
This fiberglass insulation panel has punched holes 
whose spacing conforms to the spacing of the circu-
lar parts of the conducting strips. These punched 
holes permit unsoldering of a defective solar cell. 
After the submodule is pasted to the panel, the panel 
is attached to an insulation board which protects 
the exposed parts of the conducting strips. Where 
the panels might be subjected to severe stress, a metal 
plate is placed below the insulationThoard, away from 
the solar cells.
A 12-cell matrix consists of 4 submodules in series, 
with each submodule consisting of 3 individual solar 
cells connected in parallel. A flexible lead is connected 
to each end of the matrix to complete the series con-
nection. 
To remove a defective solar cell, the bottom of each 
circular part of the particular conducting strip is 
heated while the solar cell is gently lifted, until sep-
aration is complete. Finally the horizontal perforated 
portion of the conducting strip is loosened by heating 
and the defective solar cell is removed. The removal of 
any individual solar cell does not affect adjacent or 
any other solar cells. 
Notes: 
1. Semiautomatic equipment can be used to solder 
the conducting strips to the solar cells. This fea-
ture should help generate interest in commercial 
applications. 
2. Inquiries concerning this invention may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
NASA Pasadena Office 
4800 Oak Grove Drive' 
Pasadena, California 91103 
Reference: B67'10503 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to NASA, Code 
GP, Washington, D.C. 20546.
Source: R. K. Yasui

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(NPO-10821) 
Brief 67-10503 ,	 Category 01


Composite solar cell matrix is reliable, lightweight and flexible

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