A case study: Integrating triple-junction solar cells into flat-folding flexible solar array panels

High efficiency triple-junction (3J) solar cells have been integrated and flown on numerous space solar arrays, but their most significant use to date has been on conventional, “rigid” substrates. The application of these solar cells to flat-folding “flexible” solar array panels yields significant specific power/weight and stowed volume benefits compared to rigid substrates, improving specific power/weight from 60-70 W/kg to > 100-140+ W/kg. Additionally, the small stowed volume of the “flexible” array allows a very high specific power/stowed volume ratio, >65 kW/m³.