and uniform pressure could be easily controlled all over the cell module by this method. The production process was established, and the flow chart of this production process is shown in Fig. 2. 5. FABRICATION AND TESTING OF THE PANELS To verify the production process of the ultrathin cell arrays, the testing panels were fabricated. At first, testing panel 1 (2 cells in series by 3 cells in parallel) was fabricated and, secondly, testing panel 2 (6 cells in series by 3 cells in parallel) was fabricated. The components of these testing panels are listed in Table 2, and the configuration of testing panel 2 is shown in Fig. 3. 1000 thermal cycles (-150 ± }5OC to 4-100 ± 1o°C) were performed on testing panel 1. The test results showed that the testing panel had no visual damage and no electrical degradation. The testing on panel 2 showed no visual damage and no electrical degradation after 750 thermal cycles (-150 ± }g°C to 4-100 ± ^C), and now these thermal cycling tests are being continued. 6. CONCLUSION For space stations, lightweight, large and long-life solar arays (eg. 200-KW class) are planned. The 50-ptm-thick ultrathin solar cell arrays are regarded as one of the best types among these lightweight, large and long-life solar arrays. Throughout this investigation, it was confirmed that the developed fundamental assembly technology could be applied. The results of this development program are as follows: (1) The parallel gap welding can be applied to the interconnection. The interconnectors suitable for the ultrathin silicon solar cell were developed. (2) The CIC techniques of the ultrathin solar cell were established. (3) The vacuum pressure weighting method can be applied to the module integration. (4) The production process was established. (5) The testing panels were fabricated and thermal cycling tests were performed with no visual damage and no electrical degradation. According to these results, the mass production technology suitable for flexible solar arrays using ultrathin cells is under development. REFERENCES 1. Y. Matsuie/ al., Development of Ultrathin Silicon Solar Cell Assembly Technology, 1st Int. Photovolt. Sci. Eng. Conf. 465-467, November 1984. 2. H. Ueyama et al., Characteristics of Ultrathin Silicon Solar Cells, 1st Int. Photovolt. Sci. Eng. Conf. 825-828, November 1984.
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