flexible solar cells

 I am a grad student trying to make an unmanned aerial vehicle using
flexible solar cells.  I want to test the different efficiencies of
various types of solar cells and I was wondering if anyone knew where
to buy flexible solar cells that aren't amorphous silicon?  Flexible
amorphous silicon solar cells are pretty easy to find, but I can't find
any other types, like CIGS, or any other technologies that I've read
about in journal articles.  Does anyone know of any manufacturers?

Thanks

-Jon

 

I think most of the other thin film cells (modules actually) are directly
manufactured on glass superstrate and are therefor not flexible.
However,
try this link:
http://www.solarbuzz.com/solarindex/CellManufacturers.htm

suc6
Kees

 jshugs@gmail.com wrote:

You'll have a difficult time finding any -- most of the non a-Si
technologies that would be suitable are still laboratory-only. Daystar
(CIGS) and Konarka (dye-sensitized) have signed military contracts for
their cells, but to my knowledge are still not doing anything that could
be called mass-production. IIRC, they both claim their panels will be
flexible. Their efficiencies are probably both still lower than
crystalline silicon, however.

Your best bet, if you need high efficiency and you've got a good chunk
of money to spend, would be satellite solar cells like those made by
Spectrolab. They're not flexible, but they're small -- you should be
able to get them in 2x4 cm and even 2x2 cm sizes. Last I checked,
they'll set you back about $800/watt, though. Failing that, buy ordinary
crystalline silicon cells and check the solar car web sites (e.g.,
www.americansolarchallenge.org) for advice on cutting them to smaller sizes.

 
jshugs@gmail.com wrote:

Try www.globalsolar.com for CIGS flex modules - SteveC

 Hi Jon,
I hope you check in here where lots of UAV work has been accomplished -
where people may be able to help with other aspects of your project
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f#8
Plenty of discussion in there in the past with reference to pv assistance to
long duration UAV's.  Also take a look in the electronics page on the same
site.
cheers,
Andy.  (PV wannabe, and aeromodeller for 20 years)