Abstract
One of the significant subassembly cost elements is the electrical interconnection of solar cells. Most solar cells have been interconnected by soldering the interconnectors to the cells. Solder has typically been of the 36% lead, 62% tin, 2% silver composition. Various methods of soldering have been tried, including soldering irons, parallel-gap resistance soldering, resistance wire machine (peg-tip) soldering, tunnel oven and hot oil bath soldering, and others. Each of these processes has advantages and disadvantages which depend in part on the array design; in part on the production organization, customer preferences, available tooling, previous qualification status, and many other factors. However, solder exhibits some characteristics which limit its use for some solar cell array designs.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
R. A. Marzek, “Survey and Study for an Improved Solar Cell Module, STOD Task No. 43,” Document No. 900–270, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, August 1969.
R. B. Larson, “Microjoining Processes for Electronic Packaging,” in Assembly Engineering, Hitchcock Publishing Co., Wheaton, Illinois, October 1966.
R. Buhs et al in Conference Records of the 11th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1975.
H. S. Rauschenbach and A. F. Ratajczak in Conference Records of the 10th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1973.
H. G. Mesch in Conference Records of the 10th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1973.
T. C. Eakins, “Results of Solar Cell Welded Interconnection Development,” in Proceedings of the 7th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 1972.
R. V. Elms, Jr., “Solar Array Welding Development,” in Proceedings of the 9th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 1974.
D. R. Lott, “Solar Array Flexible Substrate Design Optimization, Fabrication, Delivery and Test Evaluation Program,” Final Report LMSC-0384284, Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Inc., March 1975.
Conference Records of the 10th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Con fer en ce, 1973.
Conference Records of the 11th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1975.
R. M. Jenkins et al in Conference Records of the 10th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1973.
D. R. Lott et al in Conference Records of the 11th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1975.
TRW Systems, previously unpublished data.
H. F. Sawyer and J. R. Mulkern, “In-process nondestructive Microweld Inspection Techniques,” presented in Microelectronic Packaging Conference, Palo Alto, California, November 1968.
W. S. Griffiths and H. F. Sawyer “Non-destructive Weld Inspection Techniques,” Contract NAS 2–4166 by W. V. Sterling for NASA Ames Research Center; “Study and Development of Non-destructive Weld Inspection Techniques, Phase I Final Report,” NASA CR-73,207, Contract NAS 2–4166 by W. V. Sterling, Inc., March 1968; and “Study and Development of Non-destructive Weld Inspection Techniques, Phase II Interim Report,” NASA CR-73, 385, Contract NAS 2–4166 by W. V. Sterling, Inc., October 1969.
F. S. Johnson, “The Solar Constant,” (pp. 431–439) in Journal of Meteorology, Vol II, No. 6, December 1954.
Data Sheet for Spectrosun Model X-25 Solar Simulator, Spectrolab.
G. A. Work, “Pulsed Xenon Solar Simulator Description,” TRW DSSG.
“LAPSS-III Solar Simulator,” Data Sheet, TRW DSSG.
Report and Recommendations of the Solar Energy Data Workshop Held November 1973, National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, PB-238 066, September 1974.
Proceedings of the ERDA Semiannual Solar Photovoltaic Program Review Meeting, Silicon Technology Programs Branch, CONF-770112, January 1977.
Proceedings of the Semiannual Review Meeting, Silicon Technology Programs, U.S. Department of Energy, Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, Colorado, April 1978.
L. B. Sidwell, “Results of the 1974 through 1977 NASA/JPL Balloon Flight Solar Cell Calibration Program,” JPL Publication 77–82, January 1978.
R. F. Greenwood and R. L. Mueller, “Results of the 1970 Balloon Flight Solar Cell Standardization Program,” Technical Report 32–1575, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, December 1972.
H. S. Rauschenbach, “Understanding Solar Measurements,” Hoffman Electronics, Inc., Application Notes, 1959.
M. Wolf and H. Rauschenbach, Series Resistance Effects on Solar Cell Measurements, Advanced Energy Conversion, Vol. 3, (pp. 455–479) Perga-mon Press, Elmsford, New York, 1963
M. S. Imamura and P. Brandtzaeg (Martin Marietta Corporation) and J. L. Miller (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center), “Solar Cell Dark I–V Characteristics and their Applications,” in Proceedings of ENERGY 70 Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 1970.
R. Stair et al, “Some Developments in Improved Methods for the Measurement of the Spectral Irradiances of Solar Simulation,” NASA CR-201, April 1965.
H. K. Gummel and F. W. Smits, “Evaluation of Solar Cells by Means of Spectral Analysis,” The Bell System Technical Journal, Vol. XLIII, No. 3, May 1964.
J. Mandelkorn et al, “Filter-Wheel Solar Simulator,” NASA TN D-2562, NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio, January 1965.
E. R. G. Eckert and R. M. Drake, Jr., Heat andTransfer, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1959.
D. K. Edwards et al, “Integrating Sphere for Imperfectly Diffuse Samples,” (pp. 1279–1288) in Journal of the Optical Society of America, Vol. 51,1961.
R. V. Dunkle et al, “Heated Cavity Reflectometer for Angular Reflectance Measurements,” (pp. 541–567) in Progress in International Research on Thermodynamics and Transport Properties American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1962.
K. E. Nelson, E. E. Leudke, and J. T. Bevans, “A Device for the Rapid Measurement of Total Emit-tance,” (pp. 758–760) in Journal of Spacecraft Rockets, Vol. 3,1966.
“Hanovia Compact Arc Lamps,” Hanovia Lamp Division of Englehard Hanovia, Inc., Newark, New Jersey.
TRW DSSG, previously unpublished data.
“High Brightness Mercury Arc Lamps Capillary Type A-H6 and B-H6 Application Data and Accessory Equipment,” GET-1248H, General Electric, Hendersonville, North Carolina.
“The Electrodeless Lamp System,” Ophthos Instrument Co., Rockville, Maryland.
Product Data Sheets, Acton Research Corporation, Acton, Massachusetts.
G. L. Brown, E. E. Leudke, and R. L. Hammel, “Combined Environment Simulation Facility,” TRW DSSG.
W. Ley, “DFVLR Facility for Thermal Cycling Testing on Solar Cell Panels under Vacuum Conditions,” in Conference Records of the 12th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1976.
H. S. Rauschenbach et al, “The TDRSS Solar Array,” in Conference Records of the 13th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1978.
S. J. Kline and F. A. McClintock, “Describing Uncertainties in Single-Sample Experiments,” in Mechanical Engineering, January 1953.
B. Anspaugh, “Uncertainties in Predicting Solar Panel Power Output,” NASA TM 33–673, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, April 1974.
A. Kirpich et al, “Flight Performance of the ERTS-1 Spacecraft Power System,” in Proceedings of 1973 IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference.
TRW data obtained from COMSAT Corporation.
E. Levy, Jr. and F. S. Osugi, “Design and Performance of Intelsat IV Power Subsystem,” in Proceedings of the 7th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 1972.
J. M. Juran et al, Quality Control Handbook, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1962.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1980 Litton Educational Publishing, Inc.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Rauschenbach, H.S. (1980). Fabrication and Test. In: Solar Cell Array Design Handbook. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7915-7_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7915-7_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-011-7917-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-7915-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive