Invited Paper EN-TuM5
Flexible Solar Cells Based On Monocrystalline Silicon and GaAs

Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 9:20 am, Room Mesilla

Solar modules that involve large colletions of small, ultrathin photovoltaic cells on thin plastic or rubber substrates offer mechanical properties (e.g. stretchability) and other features (e.g. curvilinear shapes; lightweight designs) that cannot be achieved with conventional approaches. This talk describes the use of inorganic micro/nanomaterials in systems that provide the performance of state-of-the-art, wafer-based technologies but with the mechanical properties of a rubber band. We explain the materials science and mechanics of these approaches in the context of monocrystalline silicon and gallium arsenide solar cells, and key mechanics aspects of their use in flexible and stretchable modules.