Series resistance effects and cell performances in GaAs concentrator solar cells

Journal Article · · Electr. Eng. Jpn. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/eej.4391030219· OSTI ID:5061682

Yoshida, Susumu; Mitsui, Kotaro; Oda, Takao; Yoshida, Masahiro; Yukimoto, Yoshinori

Concentrator solar cells are used to decrease the cost of the solar energy generator because less material is used in the process. GaAs solar cells are considered to be advantageous because the cells have high conversion efficiency and a bandgap of 1.43 eV. This report, considering the current distribution for the concentrator GaAs solar cells, calculates series resistance and determines its effects on the cell performance using the power loss integral I/sup 2/dR method. Among the series resistance components are spreading resistance of the surface layer, contact resistance of the grid electrode, resistance of the grid electrode, bulk resistance and contact resistance of the back electrode. Calculations is made for the 1000 suns concentration; experiments are carried out at 125 suns, and 1000 suns with a special design of the grid pattern for GaAs concentrator solar cells. For GaAs concentrator solar cells at 125 suns, 1 kW power is obtained experimentally and problems associated with the GaAs concentrator solar cells are determined.

• OSTI ID: 5061682
• Journal Information: Electr. Eng. Jpn. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Electr. Eng. Jpn. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 103:2; ISSN EENJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PNICTIDES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR EQUIPMENT