Title :
Ultralight photovoltaic modules for unmanned aerial vehicles
Author :
Nowlan, Michael J. ; Maglitta, John C. ; Darkazalli, Ghazi ; Lamp, Thomas
Author_Institution :
Spira Corp., Bedford, MA, USA
fDate :
29 Sep-3 Oct 1997
Abstract :
New lightweight photovoltaic modules are being developed for powering high altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Modified low-cost terrestrial solar cell and module technologies are being applied to minimize vehicle cost. New processes were developed for assembling thin solar cells, encapsulant films, and cover films. An innovative by-pass diode mounting approach that uses a solar cell as a heat spreader was devised and tested. Materials and processes are evaluated through accelerated environmental testing
Keywords :
encapsulation; environmental testing; life testing; power supplies to apparatus; semiconductor diodes; solar cell arrays; accelerated environmental testing; by-pass diode mounting approach; cover films; encapsulant films; heat spreader; high altitude unmanned aerial vehicles; modified terrestrial solar cells; modified terrestrial solar module technologies; thin solar cells assembling; ultralight photovoltaic modules; vehicle cost minimisation; Assembly; Costs; Diodes; Life estimation; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Solar heating; Solar power generation; Testing; Unmanned aerial vehicles;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1997., Conference Record of the Twenty-Sixth IEEE
Conference_Location :
Anaheim, CA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3767-0
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1997.654292
