Development of lightweight and flexible c-Si photovoltaic modules for the STRATOBUS TM

CEA-INES and THALES ALENIA SPACE are working on the integration of PV modules on a stratospheric solar powered telecommunication balloon. Lightweight and flexible PV modules $(\lt800\,\,\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{m}^{2})$ with high efficiency $(\gt180\,\,\mathrm{W}/\mathrm{m}^{2})$, integrating one or more by-pass diodes per cell were developed, characterized and tested in harsh conditions. The interest of both IBC and HJT module technologies was clearly shown for the Stratobus TM application.