High-efficiency commercial grade 1cm2 AlGaInP/GaAs/Ge solar cells with embedded InAs quantum dots for concentrator demonstration system

J. F Wheeldon; C. E. Valdivia; D. Masson; F. Proulx; B. Riel; N. Puetz; E. Desfonds; S. Fafard; B. Rioux; A. J. SpringThorpe; R. Arès; V. Aimez; M. Armstrong; M. Swinton; J. Cook; F. Shepherd; T. J Hall; K. Hinzer

doi:10.1117/12.872890

22 September 2010 High-efficiency commercial grade 1cm² AlGaInP/GaAs/Ge solar cells with embedded InAs quantum dots for concentrator demonstration system

J. F Wheeldon, C. E. Valdivia, D. Masson, F. Proulx, B. Riel, N. Puetz, E. Desfonds, S. Fafard, B. Rioux, A. J. SpringThorpe, R. Arès, V. Aimez, M. Armstrong, M. Swinton, J. Cook, F. Shepherd, T. J Hall, K. Hinzer

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7750, Photonics North 2010; 77502Q (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.872890
Event: Photonics North 2010, 2010, Niagara Falls, Canada

Abstract

Triple-junction AlGaInP/InGaAs/Ge solar cells with embedded InAs quantum dots are presented, where typical samples obtain efficiencies of > 40% under AM1.5D illumination, over a range of concentrations of 2- to 800-suns (2 kW/m² to 800 kW/m²). Quantum efficiency measurements show that the embedded quantum dots improve the absorption of the middle subcell in the wavelength range of 900-940 nm, which in turn increases the overall operating current of the solar cell. These results are obtained with 1 cm² solar cells, and they demonstrate the solar cells' low series resistance, which and makes them ideal for the current generation in commercial concentrator systems. The thermal management and reliability of the solar cell and carrier is demonstrated by testing the experimental samples under flash (up to 1000-suns) solar simulator and continuous (up to 800-suns) solar simulator. Under continuous solar illumination, the solar cell temperature varies between ~Δ3°C at 260-suns linearly to ~Δ33°C at 784-suns when the solar cell is mounted with thermal paste, and ~Δ27°C at 264-suns linearly to ~Δ91°C at 785-suns when no thermal paste is used. The solar cells experience the expected shift in open circuit voltage and efficiency due to temperature, but otherwise operate normally for extended periods of time.

Citation Download Citation

J. F Wheeldon, C. E. Valdivia, D. Masson, F. Proulx, B. Riel, N. Puetz, E. Desfonds, S. Fafard, B. Rioux, A. J. SpringThorpe, R. Arès, V. Aimez, M. Armstrong, M. Swinton, J. Cook, F. Shepherd, T. J Hall, and K. Hinzer "High-efficiency commercial grade 1cm² AlGaInP/GaAs/Ge solar cells with embedded InAs quantum dots for concentrator demonstration system", Proc. SPIE 7750, Photonics North 2010, 77502Q (22 September 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.872890

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE