Multijunction concentrator solar cells: An enabler for low-cost photovoltaic systems

N. H. Karam, R. A. Sherif, R. R. King

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Over the past decade, multijunction (MJ) solar cell technology for terrestrial concentrator applications has experienced a rapid surge in demonstrated efficiency [1-5], as illustrated in Fig. 10.1. Multijunction cells have reached the point at which the next set of technology improvements are likely to push efficiencies over 42%. Spectrolab's roadmap for terrestrial concentrator solar cell technologies with ever-increasing cell efficiency is shown in Fig. 10.2. Very high solar cell efficiencies are crucial to the cost-effective commercialization of concentrator and flat-plate photovoltaic systems alike [6-9], because of the highly leveraging effect that efficiency has on module packaging and balance-of-system costs. In this chapter, we discuss the semiconductor device research paths being investigated with the aim of reaching > 40% efficiency, and packaging, systems and economic considerations for cost-effective concentrator photovoltaics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationConcentrator Photovoltaics
EditorsAntonio Luque, Viacheslav Andreev
Pages199-219
Number of pages21
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameSpringer Series in Optical Sciences
Volume130
ISSN (Print)0342-4111
ISSN (Electronic)1556-1534

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

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