An investigation of the contoured-oxide monolithic series-array solar battery
Abstract
The contoured-oxide monolithic series-array solar battery (MSASB) uses dielectric isolation to separate the individual cells of the array which offers an improvement in cell response uniformity over previous MSASB designs. The devices discussed exhibited array power conversion efficiencies of 7.5 percent which was attributed in part to high series resistance caused by a process omission. In addition, it was determined that shunting due to poor device isolation was a problem. Modifications to this process for improved array response are detailed and array optimization for maximum output power is analyzed. The loss mechanisms are considered. Area losses are composed of interconnect area, area shaded by front-grid contacts and area devoted to any needed circuitry. An evaluation of this problem, yielding the optimum number of cells, is presented.
- Publication:
-
Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- December 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980PhDT........93M
- Keywords:
-
- Contours;
- Energy Conversion Efficiency;
- Integrated Circuits;
- Photovoltaic Cells;
- Solar Arrays;
- Dielectrics;
- Fabrication;
- Isolation;
- Optimization;
- Oxides;
- Energy Production and Conversion