The behavior of silicon concentrator solar cells between 50 and 500 suns

Considerable progress has been made during the past few years in the development of high efficiency, high intensity silicon concentrator solar cells. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation concerning the performance of silicon concentrator solar cells at intensities ranging between 50 and 500 suns. In addition to presenting electrical performance characteristics including cell efficiency, fill factor, and open-circuit voltage, data concerning the effects of high intensity operation on cell spectral response and temperature coefficients are also presented. Measurements of the linearity of short-circuit vs intensity at high concentration are reported.