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

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 (<;800 g/m
²
) with high efficiency (>180 W/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™ application.