2 August 2011

Emcore’s 33%-efficient IMM4J solar cells released to low-earth orbit from final Space Shuttle mission

Emcore Corp of Albuquerque, NM, USA, which makes compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the broadband, fiber-optic and solar power markets, says that a pair of its Inverted Metamorphic Module Quadruple-Junction (IMM4J) solar cells carried on a platform were released into low-earth orbit (LEO) from the Space Shuttle Atlantis’ cargo bay on 20 July after Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station during its historic final mission.

The IMM4J large-area solar cells, with solar-to-electric conversion efficiencies in excess of 33%, are among the highest-efficiency solar cells ever launched into space, it is claimed. The IMM4J technology, which is currently under development at Emcore, has also demonstrated a record conversion efficiency in the laboratory of more than 36%, measured under simulated space solar illumination conditions at Emcore.

“The on-orbit data from these cells provides an invaluable opportunity for Emcore to assess the performance of our latest solar cell technologies under space flight conditions,” says chief operating officer Christopher Larocca.

Emcore claims to be the world’s largest manufacturer of highly efficient radiation-hard solar cells for space power applications. With a beginning-of-life (BOL) conversion efficiency of the order of 30% and the option for a patented, onboard monolithic bypass diode, Emcore’s multi-junction solar cells can provide the highest available power to interplanetary spacecrafts and earth-orbiting satellites, it adds.

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Multi-year supply deal with Space Systems/Loral yields Emcore’s second biggest PV contract

Tags: Emcore Multi-junction solar cells

Visit: www.emcore.com