Abstract
Multijunction solar cells have evolved from their original development for space missions to displace silicon cells in high concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems. Today's three-junction lattice-matched production cells have efficiency of 39-39.5% under high concentration, and there appears to be little opportunity for further efficiency gain with this three-junction technology. Future generations of CPV cells will exploit more than three junctions, with metamorphic subcells, or both technical approaches to achieve efficiencies >45%. As new designs seek closer current matching and further spectral splitting, atmospheric variability will necessitate careful modeling to optimize energy output. These new cells will also be higher cost, which will favor higher CPV system concentration.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 10ND01 |
| Journal | Japanese Journal of Applied Physics |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue number | 10 PART 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
Cite this
Evolution of multijunction solar cell technology for concentrating photovoltaics. / Jones, Russell K.; Ermer, James H.; Fetzer, Christopher M.; King, Richard.
In: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 51, No. 10 PART 2, 10ND01, 10.2012.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Evolution of multijunction solar cell technology for concentrating photovoltaics
AU - Jones, Russell K.
AU - Ermer, James H.
AU - Fetzer, Christopher M.
AU - King, Richard
PY - 2012/10
Y1 - 2012/10
N2 - Multijunction solar cells have evolved from their original development for space missions to displace silicon cells in high concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems. Today's three-junction lattice-matched production cells have efficiency of 39-39.5% under high concentration, and there appears to be little opportunity for further efficiency gain with this three-junction technology. Future generations of CPV cells will exploit more than three junctions, with metamorphic subcells, or both technical approaches to achieve efficiencies >45%. As new designs seek closer current matching and further spectral splitting, atmospheric variability will necessitate careful modeling to optimize energy output. These new cells will also be higher cost, which will favor higher CPV system concentration.
AB - Multijunction solar cells have evolved from their original development for space missions to displace silicon cells in high concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems. Today's three-junction lattice-matched production cells have efficiency of 39-39.5% under high concentration, and there appears to be little opportunity for further efficiency gain with this three-junction technology. Future generations of CPV cells will exploit more than three junctions, with metamorphic subcells, or both technical approaches to achieve efficiencies >45%. As new designs seek closer current matching and further spectral splitting, atmospheric variability will necessitate careful modeling to optimize energy output. These new cells will also be higher cost, which will favor higher CPV system concentration.
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U2 - 10.1143/JJAP.51.10ND01
DO - 10.1143/JJAP.51.10ND01
M3 - Article
VL - 51
JO - Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Part 1: Regular Papers & Short Notes
JF - Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Part 1: Regular Papers & Short Notes
SN - 0021-4922
IS - 10 PART 2
M1 - 10ND01
ER -