NATURE OF DEGRADATION OF CERAMIC SOLAR CELLS OF THE Cu//2// minus //xS-CdS TYPE.

Instability in ceramic SC (solar cells) of the Cu//2// minus //xS-CdS type is experimentally studied. The Cu//2// minus //xS-CdS were produced on a base of ceramic wafers. Degradation of Cu//2// minus //xS-CdS SC occurred when they were illuminated with light from a DKSSh-150 lamp with a water filter, which stimulates the spectrum of solar radiation. The rate of illumination on the surface of the SC was 100 mW/cm**2. In order to accelerate the process of degradation, the SC were placed in a thermostat and heated to 60 degree C. Parameters of the SC and wafers were checked at 0; 5; 10; 20; 50; 100; 200; 300; and 400 hr. Results are presented in the form of graphs and are discussed.