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Effects of spectral variations on silicon cell output

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7320489

The performance of silicon solar cell at a specific location is usually predicted by multiplying the solar radiation incident at the site by the solar cell's ''efficiency.'' This efficiency is specified as the ratio of the cell's output to the radiant energy input to the cell under specified conditions. It would be better to use a procedure which takes into account the fact that the performance of silicon solar cells depends upon the spectral distribution of the incoming energy. This is generally not possible because there are very few records of the spectral distribution of terrestrial solar radiation. One existing data source consists of spectral measurements of daily, total-horizontal radiation recorded by the Smithsonian Radiation Biology Laboratory at Rockville, Maryland. These data have been analyzed to determine the magnitude and character of the effects in silicon cell output resulting from real variations in the terrestrial solar spectrum. Results are reported.

Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
E(29-1)-789
OSTI ID:
7320489
Report Number(s):
SAND-76-9142; CONF-761129-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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