Multijunction upper subcell cascade photovoltaics for space applications

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1988 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.341142· OSTI ID:5538079

Educato, J L; Wagner, M; Leburton, J P

A new class of cascade high-efficiency photovoltaics designed for space-based applications is proposed. The design improves upper subcell performance and avoids electrical and optical losses associated with an intercell ohmic contact. Multijunction upper subcells reduce bulk recombination of photogenerated minority carriers by decreasing the average collection distance, yielding improved spectral response and radiation tolerance. A three-terminal design is employed which circumvents the need for a monolithic intercell contact and, thus, the losses associated with such a contact. Problems related to array interconnection of three-terminal devices may be solved by creating a two-terminal cell from complementary pairs (n-p-n and p-n-p) of three-terminal cells. Simulations of lattice-matched AlGaAs-GaAs and lattice-mismatched AlGaAs-InGaAs cascade cells show that one-sun AM0 efficiencies in excess of 26% and 28%, respectively, are possible.

• Research Organization: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
• OSTI ID: 5538079
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 63:2; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CHARGE CARRIERS
DATA
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POWER SUPPLIES
SIMULATION
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
USES