Super radiation tolerance of CIGS solar cells demonstrated in space by MDS-1 satellite

Kawakita, Shiro*; Imaizumi, Mitsuru*; Sumita, Taishi*; Kushiya, Katsumi*; Oshima, Takeshi; Yamaguchi, Masafumi*; Matsuda, Sumio*; Yoda, Shinichi*; Kamiya, Tomihiro

The electrical performance of Cu(Ga,In)Se solar cells on MDS-1 which was launched in February 2002 was measured. The CIGS solar cells show superior radiation resistance in space. The short circuit current dose not degrade and the open circuit voltage shows only 1 % degradation after 200 days. On the other hand, in the case of ground test, the recovery of electrical performance of CIGS solar cells are observed at RT. And, the recovery is enhanced by current-injection.