Measurement methods for the critical bending radius of flexible solar cells

Flexible solar cells are becoming more widely acknowledged as essential elements for upcoming applications as space solar cell arrays move from rigid and semi-rigid structures to flexible designs with high packing ratios, less weight, and lower costs. The exact measurement of these cells’ essential bending radius is necessary because they must preserve both their structural integrity and photoelectric conversion efficiency under bending conditions. In response to this need, a new method based on large deflection buckling theory is proposed for testing the bending radius of flexible solar cells. Accurate and repeatable measurements are made possible by an automated testing instrument designed to support this method. To validate the accuracy of this method, its results were compared with those obtained using the traditional mandrel method. The accuracy and dependability of this method were confirmed by the trials, which revealed that the critical bending radius determined by the big deflection buckling method was quite compatible with that of the mandrel method. The findings of the study serve as a guide for maximizing the performance of upcoming flexible electronic devices in addition to providing exact mechanical parameters for the structural design of flexible solar cells.