Effect of Low-Intensity-Low-Temperature and High Radiation conditions on Flexible Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells

Commercially available flexible Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells are assessed at Low-Intensity-Low-Temperature (LILT) conditions consistent with those expected in the outer planetary systems of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. In these lower temperature environments, evidence of a photo-activated barrier is observed, which is attributed to the contribution of a parasitic barrier at the CIGS/CdS interface that is mediated by metastable defect complexes. Under LILT conditions, the barrier results in only a small reduction in performance. Studies of irradiation with very high fluences levels of 1.5 MeV protons are also presented, resulting in defect-related degradation. Self-healing under annealing and illumination is also observed.