Novel solar cell concentrator photovoltaic converter system
Abstract
Attainment of photovoltaic conversion efficiencies greater than 25% to 30% thought necessary to make concentrator photovoltaics economical, seems possible if the soalr spectrum is more efficiently used by splitting the spectrum and using solar cells of different bandgaps,. For initial work on multi-bandgap concentrator solar cells, the spectrum was split by an optical filter which transmits light above 1.6 eV and below 1.1 eV and reflects light between 1.1 and 1.6 eV. Theorectical modeling of possible conversion efficiencies led to the choice of the filter bandpass energies and practical solar cell fabrication considerations have led to the choice of silicon and the Al(x) Ga(1-x)As system for initial development work. Special silicon concentrator solar cells with a p(+):n(-):n(+) structure designed for this application and have attained apparent cell conversion efficiencies of 16.2% at a current ratio of 455 suns.
- Publication:
-
Final Report Varian Associates
- Pub Date:
- December 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979vara.rept.....J
- Keywords:
-
- Energy Conversion Efficiency;
- Energy Policy;
- Photovoltaic Conversion;
- Product Development;
- Solar Cells;
- Concentrators;
- Fabrication;
- Optical Filters;
- Silicon;
- Solar Spectra;
- Spectral Bands;
- Energy Production and Conversion