Solar Cell Testing at Spasolab

The objective of this activity is to perform electrical and environmental testing on solar cell, diode and coupon level on a call-off order basis.

Spasolab was created in 1984, at INTA (E) premises, as an ESA external laboratory dedicated to Solar Cell and Panels Testing. The laboratory aimed at supporting ESA programmes and activities at different maturity levels, ranging from the development to the production phases, throughout the design and qualification ones.A list of Spasolab solar cell test laboratory capabilities is provided in the following:? Complete characterisation of space of Space Silicon and Gallium Arsenide solar cells (Type approval tests).? Development of test methods for the characterization of last generation photo-voltaic devices? Electrical characterization at panel and module level.? Electrical and environmental characterization at coupon level.? Calibration of reference solar cells (primary and secondary standards).? Research and development activities (e.g. elaboration of specifications for new devices).The objective of this activity is to perform electrical and environmental testing on solar cell, diode and coupon level on a call-off order basis. Test activities shall cover e.g. qualification tests according to ECSS-E-ST-20-08C and high-precision characterisation and calibration of future multi-junction solar cells. With its facilities and the know-how of the staff Spasolab is recognized as a center of excellence in Europe in the field of solar cell testing.