Development and fabrication of advanced cover glass for a GaAs solar cell
This report summarizes work on improving solar cell conversion efficiencies by modifying the cell cover glass. Two approaches were investigated during the course of this work: grooved cover glasses to reduce the effect of top contact obscuration and secondary concentrators to improve concentrator solar cell performances in tracking modules. The grooved cover glass work used an array of metallized V shaped grooves in a thin cover glass (plastic) window to deflect incident light rays away from solar cell front surface regions covered by the solar cell electrical contact metallization onto unobstructed, optically active regions of the solar cell. Secondary concentrators are being considered for use on concentrator solar cells to improve overall system conversion efficiency and reduce receiver module cost. Secondary concentrators designed and fabricated during this project consist of small glass cones to attach directly to the top of the receiver solar cell. When appropriately designed, these secondary concentrator glass cones increase sunlight concentration on the solar cell, improve solar flux uniformity on the cell, improve system tolerance to tracking error, and allow for concentration ratios greater than can be ordinarily achieved with acrylic Fresnel lenses.
- Research Organization:
- Varian Associates, Palo Alto, CA (USA). Solid State Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5424116
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-82-7214; ON: DE84006319
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
COVERINGS
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
CONICAL CONFIGURATION
DESIGN
FABRICATION
FRESNEL LENS
CONFIGURATION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
LENSES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion