Silicon concentrator solar cell development

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7122289· OSTI ID:7122289

Green, M A; Jianhua, Zhao; Aihua, Wang; Blakers, A W ^[1]

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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

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360601* -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
CURRENT DENSITY
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
EQUIPMENT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FUNCTIONS
MEASURING METHODS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PRODUCTION
RADIATIONS
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
TESTING