Large area solar cell extended life interconnect

A solar cell interconnect, comprising:

• a first connecting portion for fixed connection to a first solar cell, said first connecting portion being formed separately on said first solar cell;
• a second connecting portion for fixed connection to a second solar cell immediately adjacent said first solar cell, said second connecting portion being formed separately on said second solar cell;
• and
• a stress portion having a plurality of planar loop portions disposed between said first and second connecting portions such that said stress portion can be positioned between said first and second solar cells, said stress portion being characterized by a movement per loop portion which is approximately equal to .delta.x/n wherein ".delta.x" equals a distance of thermal expansion between said first and second cells and "n" equals the number of loop portions, said loop portions being in a plane substantially perpendicular to planes of a surface of said first solar cell and a surface of said second solar cell when connected.

A solar cell interconnect for use in a spacecraft, comprising:

• a first connecting portion having a planar surface configuration for connection to a first surface of said first solar cell such that expansion and contraction changes from said first solar cell are transferred to said interconnect, said first connecting portion being on said first solar cell;
• a second connecting portion having a planar surface configuration for connection to a second surface of said second solar cell immediately adjacent said first solar cell such that expansion and contraction changes from said second solar cell are transferred to said interconnect, said second connecting portion being formed separately on said second solar cell;
• and
• a stress portion having a plurality of planar loop portions disposed between said first and second connecting portions such that said stress portion can be positioned between said first and second solar cells, said stress portion being characterized by a movement per loop which is approximately equal to .delta.x/n and further characterized by a fatigue stress factor that is proportional to .delta.x/ny wherein ".delta.x" equals a distance of expansion between said cells, "n" is the number of loops in said stress portion and "y" equals a height of said stress portion, said loops being in a plane substantially perpendicular to planes described by said first and second surfaces.