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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Silicon concentrator solar cell development

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7122289· OSTI ID:7122289
; ; ;  [1]
  1. New South Wales Univ., Kensington (Australia)

This project involved the development and supply of 550 silicon concentrator solar cells for use in prototype point-focus concentrator modules. The cells were to have a designed illumination area of 12.5 mm by 12.5 mm and to be designed for use with prismatic covers at a geometric concentration ratio of 200X. The target efficiency of 24% was comfortably exceeded, with efficiencies as high as 25.2% reached in the designed concentration ratio range. A combined lens/cell efficiency of 24.4% was measured at Sandia using a cell supplied during this project and a point-focus Fresnel lens. Subsequently, a peak module efficiency of 20.3% was achieved at Sandia using 12 cells and lenses. This is believed to be the first photovoltaic module to surpass the 20% efficiency milestone. 8 refs., 10 figs., 6 tabs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); New South Wales Univ., Kensington (Australia)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/CE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
7122289
Report Number(s):
SAND-89-7043; ON: DE90011782
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English