Initial Test Bed for Very High Efficiency Solar Cells

Very High Efficiency Solar Cell (VHESC) program is developing integrated optical system-photovoltaic modules for portable applications that operate at greater than 50 percent efficiency. We are integrating the optical design with the solar cell design, and we have entered previously unoccupied desig...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Barnett, Allen, Wang, Xiaoting, Waite, Nick, Murcia, Paola, Honsberg, Christiana, Kirkpatrick, Doug, Laubacher, Dan, Kiamilev, Fouad, Goossen, Keith, Wanlass, Mark, Steiner, Myles, Schwartz, Richard, Gray, Jeff, Gray, Allen, Sharps, Paul, Emergy, Keith, Kazmerski, Larry
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
COATINGS
DICHROISM
EFFICIENCY
Electric Power Production and Distribution
INTEGRATED OPTICS
MEASUREMENT
MIRRORS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Optics
OUTPUT
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS(SEMICONDUCTOR)
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
SOLAR CELLS
SYMPOSIA
TEST BEDS
VERIFICATION
Online Access:Request full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Very High Efficiency Solar Cell (VHESC) program is developing integrated optical system-photovoltaic modules for portable applications that operate at greater than 50 percent efficiency. We are integrating the optical design with the solar cell design, and we have entered previously unoccupied design space. A test bed for rapid development and verification of performance of subsystems is also being developed. The results and analysis of the first complete integrated optics and solar cells on this test bed are reported. The demonstration has achieved efficiency greater than 36%. Analysis shows a direct path to efficiencies greater than 40%. These initial results have not been verified by NREL or any other 3rd party. We have previously reported the sum of the solar cell efficiencies to be over 42%, and optical subsystem efficiency greater than 93%. Our approach is driven by proven quantitative models for the solar cell design, the optical design and the integration of the two. Presented at the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) (33rd), held in San Diego, CA on May 20, 2008. The original document contains color images.