Thin-film Photovoltaic Proton and Electron Radiation

A radiation test plan for thin-film photovoltaic technologies focused on a MEO flight experiment is outlined. The proton and electron radiation response of thin film, amorphous Si solar cells and CuInGaSe2 solar cells, with and without space coatings, is presented. The degradation of the photovoltaic output under penetrating and junction-damaging proton irradiation, and 0.6 MeV and 1 MeV electron irradiation, is measured and examined. The experimental data are presented and analyzed. These data will form the basis for an on-orbit prediction model as applied to a high-radiation MEO orbit.