NASA's Robotic Assembly of Photovoltaic Arrays Webinar

Webinar
October 21, 2021

NASA's Robotic Assembly of Photovoltaic Arrays Webinar

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seeking licensees that may benefit from low-cost, automated assembly of large-scale solar arrays. NASA researchers have developed a novel process for assembling thin-film solar cells into larger solar arrays. Current methods for solar array manufacturing depend on time-consuming, manual assembly of solar cells into multi-cell arrays. Print-assisted photovoltaic assembly (PAPA) is an assembly process that leverages robotic automation to build fully functional flexible thin-film solar arrays. By increasing manufacturing efficiency, no-touch technology can reduce labor costs, decrease time-to-market, and enable assembly of large-scale solar arrays of over 500kW. This increased efficiency can help meet growing demand for large solar arrays in residential and satellite applications. Compatible with all currently available thin-film and 3D-printed solar cell materials, PAPA is capable of integrating with current and future solar cell technologies.