Current-matched high-efficiency, multijunction monolithic solar cells

Patent · Tue Jun 29 04:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:6355268

Olson, J M; Kurtz, S R

A high-efficiency multijunction photovoltaic solar cell is described, consisting essentially of: a top semiconductor cell fabricated from Ga[sub x]In[sub l[minus]x]P wherein x is (0 < x < 0.5) a light-sensitive n/p homojunction therein for absorbing higher energy photons; a bottom semiconductor cell fabricated from GaAs with a light sensitive n/p homojunction therein for absorbing lower energy photons; and wherein the top cell thickness is optimized by thinning to from 0.5 to 1.7 microns and less than the bottom cell thickness in order to provide current matching between the top cell and the bottom cell in order to obtain improved conversion efficiency, a low-resistance attachment between the top cell and the bottom cell, wherein the top cell is lattice matched to the bottom cell; and electrical contact means attached to opposite sides of the solar cell to conduct current away from and into the solar cell.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5223043
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-884312
• OSTI ID: 6355268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CURRENTS
DESIGN
DIRECT CURRENT
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
GALLIUM PHOSPHIDE SOLAR CELLS
INDIUM PHOSPHIDE SOLAR CELLS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT