On-Sun Comparison of GaInP2/GaAs Tandem Cells with Top Cell Thickness Varied

Conference · Tue Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2005

OSTI ID:15016451

McMahon, W E; Emery, K E; Friedman, D J; Ottoson, L; Young, M S; Ward, J S; Kramer, C M; Duda, A; Kurtz, S

This study compares the on-sun performance of a set of GaInP2/GaAs tandem cells with different GaInP2 top-cell thicknesses. Because high-efficiency III-V cells are best suited to concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) applications, the cells were mounted on a two-axis tracker with the incident sunlight collimated to exclude all except the direct beam. Current-voltage (I-V) curves were taken throughout the course of several days, along with measurements of the direct solar spectrum. Our two major conclusions are: (1) GaInP2/GaAs tandem cells designed for an ''air mass 1.5 global'' (AM 1.5G) or a ''low aerosol optical depth'' (Low AOD) spectrum perform the best, and (2) cells can be characterized indoors and modeled using outdoor spectra to predict the correct result. These results are equally valid for GaInP2/GaAs/Ge triple-junction cells.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-99GO10337
• OSTI ID: 15016451
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP-520-37376
• Resource Type: Conference paper/presentation
• Conference Information: Prepared for the 31st IEEE Photovoltaics Specialists Conference and Exhibition, Lake Buena Vista, FL (US), 01/03/2005--01/07/2005
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
AEROSOLS
CONCENTRATING PHOTOVOLTAIC (CPV)
CURRENT-VOLTAGE
HIGH-EFFICIENCY III-V CELLS
LOW AEROSOL OPTICAL DEPTH (LOW AOD)
ON-SUN PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE
PV
SOLAR ENERGY - PHOTOVOLTAICS
SPECTRA
TANDEM CELLS
THICKNESS
TOP-CELL THICKNESS
TRIPLE-JUNCTION