Novel concentrator photovoltaic converter system development. Final report

Technical Report · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:6084711

Bedair, S M; Lamorte, M F; Hauser, J R

The long-range objective of this work is to develop, synthesize, and evaluate a novel cascade solar cell having an AM 1 conversion efficiency of 30 percent or greater and capable of operating at both high illumination levels and elevated temperatures. The first year's work has been oriented toward demonstrating the cascade solar cell concept whereby two cells are internally connected in a monolithic structure to provide a voltage aiding series arrangement of the cells. Accomplishments during the first year include studies of the lower bandgap cell, the upper bandgap cell, and the low impedance connecting junction. The material systems studied include GaInAs, AlGaAs, GaInP, and AlGaInAs. The major accomplishment of the work has been the first experimental demonstration of a cascade solar cell structure in the CaAs/AlGaAs materials system. Test cells have demonstrated open circuit voltages as high as 2.2 volts and efficiencies in the 10 to 15% range without antireflecting layers.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 6084711
• Report Number(s): SAND-79-7040
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ALUMINIUM ARSENIDES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COHERENT SCATTERING
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONCENTRATION RATIO
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CONNECTORS
CRYSTAL DOPING
CRYSTAL GROWTH
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DESIGN
DIFFRACTION
DIFFUSION LENGTH
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ENERGY GAP
EPITAXY
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
GALLIUM PHOSPHIDES
GRADED BAND GAPS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
INDIUM ARSENIDES
INDIUM COMPOUNDS
INDIUM PHOSPHIDE SOLAR CELLS
INDIUM PHOSPHIDES
JUNCTIONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROSTRUCTURE
MORPHOLOGY
OPENINGS
PERFORMANCE
PHOSPHIDES
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICS
PNICTIDES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SCATTERING
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SIMULATION
SOLAR CELLS
SOLID STATE PHYSICS
SPECTRAL RESPONSE
SUBSTRATES
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
WINDOWS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION