Silicon solar cell arrays are pressure-bonded to flexible backing and protected by fluorinated ethylene propylene cover in one mechanized operation. Arrays packaged by this method are flexible, lightweight, insulated, breakage resistant and less expensive

Bernatowicz, D. T.

Broder, J. D.

Forestieri, A. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

May 1972	 B72-10177 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Lewis Research Center 	
_4V 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Flexible, Low-Cost Silicon Solar Cell Arrays 
Arrays of silicon solar cells have been pressure-
bonded to a flexible backing and protected by an FEP 
(fluorinated ethylene propylene) cover, all in one mech-
anized operation. Arrays packaged by this method are 
flexible, lightweight, insulated, resist breakage, and can 
be fabricated at a significant decrease in cost from con-
ventional methods. 
Rigid arrays of silicon solar cells have been utilized on 
a variety of space missions. For future space missions, 
larger arrays will be required for power loads in the 
multikilowatt range. Arrays are being developed utilizing 
flexible substrates which permit the larger arrays to be 
rolled or folded for more compact storage during launch-
ing. For present flexible arrays, 2 x 2 cm silicon solar 
cells, 8-inils (0.2 inm) thick, are glued to a flexible plas-
tic sheet, usually a polyimide. The cells are covered indi-
vidually with glass covers to protect them from electrons 
and protons in the space environment. The glass covers 
are cemented to the cells with an adhesive which requires 
an ultraviolet radiation protective filter on the cover. 
FEP has properties which make it particularly attrac-
tive for fabricating silicon solar cell arrays. These 
properties include: low cost, flexibility, high light 
transmission, ability to bond to itself and other mater-
ials under heat and pressure, and tolerance to the space 
environment. Modules and small arrays have been 
successfully fabricated using FEP as the cover material 
and also as an adhesive for mounting the solar cells to a 
flexible substrate. 
In this new method, the silicon solar cell arrays are 
made up of the substrate layer, an FEP layer, the solar 
cells and a cover layer of FEP. The package is sealed and 
bonded by applying heat and pressure. Tests indicate 
that a 5-mil (0.13 mm) thickness of FEP provides virtu-
ally the same protection for the solar cells as had been
provided by a 6-mil (0.18 mm) glass cover. Additionally, 
an ultraviolet filter is not needed. 
Notes: 
1. The following documentation may be obtained from: 
National Technical Information Service 
Springfield, Virginia 22151 
Single document price $3.00 
(or microfiche $0.95) 
Reference: 
NASA-TM-X-52875 (N70-41903) Improve-
ments in Silicon Solar Cell Cover Glass As-
sembly and Packaging Using FEP Teflon 
2. Technical questions may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Lewis Research Center 
21000 Brookpark Road 
Cleveland, Ohio 44135 
Reference: B72-10177 
Patent status: 
This invention is owned by NASA, and a patent 
application has been filed. Royalty-free, nonexclusive 
licenses for its commercial use will be granted by NASA. 
Inquiries concerning license rights should be made to: 
Patent Counsel 
Mail Stop 500-311 
Lewis Research Center 
21000 Brookpark Road 
Cleveland, Ohio 44135 
Source: A.F. Forestieri, J.D. Broder,

and D.T. Bernatowicz
Lewis Research Center

(LEW-1 1069) 
Category 02 
Thisdocumentwas prepared underthe 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.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19720000177 2020-03-17T03:32:55+00:00Z


Flexible, low-cost silicon solar cell arrays

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