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Thin-film micro-concentrator solar cells
摘要： Concentrator PV (CPV) employs optical elements to concentrate sunlight onto small solar cells, offering the possibility of replacing expensive solar cells by more economic optical elements, and higher device power conversion efficiencies. While CPV has mainly been explored for highly-efficient single crystalline and multi-junction solar cells, the combination of thin-film solar cells with the concentration approach opens up new horizons in CPV. Typical fabrication of thin-film solar cells can be modified for efficient, high-throughput, and parallel production of organized arrays of micro solar cells. Their combination with micro lens arrays promises to deliver micro-concentrator solar modules with a similar form factor as present day flat panel PV. Such thin-film micro-concentrator PV modules would use significantly less semiconductor solar cell material (reducing the use of critical raw materials) and lead to a higher energy production (by means of concentrated sunlight), with the potential to lead to a lower levelized cost of electricity. This review article gives an overview of the present state-of-the-art in the fabrication of thin-film micro solar cells based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 absorber materials and introduces optical concentration systems that can be combined to build the future thin-film micro-concentrator PV technology.
关键词： Cu(In,Ga)Se2,concentrator photovoltaics,thin film solar cells,photovoltaics,micro-concentrator
更新于2025-09-23 15:19:57
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Numerical optimisation and recombination effects on the vertical-tunnel-junction (VTJ) GaAs solar cell up to 10,000 suns
摘要： Ultra-high concentrator photovoltaic systems (UHCPV), usually referred to CPV systems exceeding 1000 suns, are signalled as one of the most promising research avenues to produce a new generation of high-efficiency and low-cost CPV systems. However, the structure of current concentrator solar cells prevents their development due to the unavoidable series resistance losses at such elevated concentration ratios. In this work, we investigate the performance of the so-called vertical-tunnel-junction (VTJ), recently introduced by the authors, by using advance TCAD. In particular, we carry out an optimisation procedure of the key parameters that affect its performance and conduct a deep investigation of the impact of the main recombination mechanisms and of sun concentration up to 10,000 suns. The results indicate that the performance of the novel structure is not significantly affected by these two factors. A record efficiency of 32.2% at 10,000 suns has been found. This represents a promising way to obtain state-of-the-art efficiencies above 30% for single-band-gap cells, and offers a new route towards the development of competitive CPV systems operating at ultra-high concentration fluxes.
关键词： Tunnel diode,Concentrator photovoltaics,Vertical solar cells,Series resistance,Gallium arsenide (GaAs)
更新于2025-09-23 15:19:57
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Thermal characterization of a silicone-on-glass micro aspheric lens array for a concentrator photovoltaic module
摘要： This study examined the effects of the thermal deformation of a silicone-on-glass (SOG) micro aspheric lens on the optical performance of a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module. Thermal deformation of the lens induced by temperature variation causes defocalization of the spot of concentrated light on the solar cell, resulting in a change in the optical efficiency and irradiance uniformity in the solar cell area. The irradiance uniformity affects the fill factor of the solar cell. The effects of the thermal deformation of the lens on the optical efficiency and irradiance uniformity in the solar cell area were evaluated through a three-dimensional thermal deformation simulation and ray-tracing simulation. The simulation methods were validated by indoor heating tests using a prototype SOG lens and III–V triple-junction solar cell. The simulation results for optical systems with geometric concentration ratios of 200 ? and 500 ? revealed that the temperature dependences of the optical performances of a system with SOG micro aspheric lenses showed similar trends to those of a system with SOG Fresnel lenses designed with the same lens surface profiles as aspheric lenses.
关键词： Optical efficiency,Temperature dependence,Microscale concentrator photovoltaics,Plano-convex aspheric lens,Silicone-on-glass lens
更新于2025-09-23 15:19:57
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[IEEE 2019 IEEE 46th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) - Chicago, IL, USA (2019.6.16-2019.6.21)] 2019 IEEE 46th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) - A computationally efficient simulation method for optimizing front contacts of concentrator multijunction solar cells
摘要： In this work, a novel multidiode model is proposed for optimizing the front grid of multijunction solar cells operating under concentration conditions. The model allows for quickly exploring the maximum achievable efficiency under a wide range of operating conditions and design parameters such as the redirecting capability, period and width of the fingers, the light concentration, and the metal and emitter sheet resistivity. The proposed multidiode model shows to be consistent with experimental data and with more complex modeling approaches such as the simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis (SPICE) model.
关键词： multijunction solar cells,concentrator photovoltaics,device modeling,solar cell front contact grids
更新于2025-09-19 17:13:59
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Optimum capacity of the inverters in concentrator photovoltaic power plants with emphasis on shading impact
摘要： Nowadays, there is wide experience on selecting an adequate ratio between the photovoltaic array peak power and the inverter capacity for conventional photovoltaic systems. However, when dealing with concentrator photovoltaic plants, the problem is more complex and the results obtained with conventional methods are not directly applicable. There are few studies regarding concentrator photovoltaic technology and all of them neglect the impact of shading. In this paper, based on the experimental characterisation of a typical concentrator photovoltaic module, a power plant model is developed, which takes into consideration shading, module misalignment, and different inverter con?guration schemes for optimising the inverter capacity. The inverter size is analysed for different ground cover ratios (from 12% to 52%), inverter schemes (micro-, string-, and tracker-inverters), inverter ef?ciencies (low-, medium-, and high-ef?ciency), climatic conditions (Granada, Marrakech, and Frenchman Flat), and economic conditions (system cost excluding inverters from 850 to 1400 V/kWp). Results show values for the DC-to-AC sizing ratio ranging from 1.01 to 1.67 (maximum performance ratio), and from 1.53 to 1.79 (minimum levelised cost of energy). String-inverters exhibit the best behaviour in terms of levelised cost of energy, except in shadow-free systems, in which tracker-inverters behave better.
关键词： Inverter size,Concentrator photovoltaics,Levelised cost of energy,Ef?ciency improvement,Shading,Inverter con?guration
更新于2025-09-16 10:30:52
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Annual Energy Harvesting of Passively Cooled Hybrid Thermoelectric Generator-Concentrator Photovoltaic Modules
摘要： Approximately 60% of the incident energy is dissipated as heat in conventional concentrator photovoltaic modules. The hybridization with thermoelectric generators (TEGs) aims to recover part of the waste heat and transform it to electricity. Recently, the feasibility of passively cooled designs has been assessed for small sized solar cells (3 mm × 3 mm). It is expected that novel prototypes will be developed according to this concept. However, the existing feasibility studies are based on reference operating conditions, while the behavior of the hybrid modules under changing atmospheric conditions remains unknown. In this article, real atmospheric data of Jaén, Southern Spain, including irradiance, temperature, and spectral data, are used to analyze the behavior of four designs of TEG-concentrator photovoltaic modules: low ZT-low temperature (A), low ZT-high temperature (B), high ZT-low temperature (C), and high ZT-high temperature (D). This behavior is compared with that of a typical concentrator photovoltaic-only module. Results show that, while the global ef?ciency at reference conditions can be enhanced up to 4.75%, the annual averaged global ef?ciency can only be increased up to 4.30%. The results of this article will help to understand the impact of the atmospheric conditions on the real behavior of these structures.
关键词： concentrator photovoltaics (CPV),efficiency improvement,Annual energy,thermoelectric generator (TEG),hybrid system,passive cooling
更新于2025-09-16 10:30:52
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On the use of graphene to improve the performance of concentrator III‐V multijunction solar cells
摘要： Graphene has been intensively studied in photovoltaics focusing on emerging solar cells based on thin films, dye‐sensitized solar cells, quantum dots, nanowires, and so forth. However, the typical efficiency of these solar cells incorporating graphene is below 16%. Therefore, the photovoltaic potential of graphene has not yet been shown. In this work, the use of graphene for concentration applications on III‐V multijunction solar cells, which indeed are the solar cells with the highest efficiency, is demonstrated. First, a wide optoelectronic characterization of graphene layers is carried out. Then, the graphene layer is incorporated onto triple‐junction solar cells, which decreases their series resistance by 35% (relative), leading to an increase in fill factor of 4% (absolute) at concentrations of 1000 suns. Simultaneously, the optical absorption of graphene produces a relative short‐circuit current density decrease in the range of 0% to 1.8%. As a result, an absolute efficiency improvement close to 1% at concentrations of 1000 suns was achieved with respect to triple‐junction solar cells without graphene. The impact of incorporating one and two graphene monolayers is also evaluated.
关键词： III‐V solar cells,graphene,concentrator photovoltaics
更新于2025-09-12 10:27:22
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Planar‐type concentrating photovoltaics with cylindrical lenses directly integrated with thin flexible GaAs solar cells
摘要： Concentrated photovoltaics allow a reduction of expensive semiconductor materials by collecting incident light through optical elements such as lenses and/or mirrors, which usually require bulky or heavy dual‐axis solar trackers, requiring dedicated installation sites. In this paper, we report a planar‐type concentrating photovoltaics with cylindrical lenses on which flexible GaAs solar cells are directly integrated on the curvilinear surfaces. The planar‐type concentrating system maintains both a focused beam width and angle invariably onto its integrated solar cells throughout the day. Computational and experimental studies at various incident angles prove the benefits of the design. Demonstrations of a custom‐built cylindrical lens solar tracker installed on a rooftop or sidewall of a building prove the feasibility of the proposed concept.
关键词： solar tracker,flexible solar cell,cylindrical lens,concentrator photovoltaics (CPV),GaAs
更新于2025-09-12 10:27:22
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Roll-to-Roll Embossing of Optical Radial Fresnel Lenses on Polymer Film for Concentrator Photovoltaics: A Feasibility Study
摘要： Fresnel-based concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems have been proven effective to significantly enhance the photoelectric conversion efficiency, but a standard-size solar plant will require an extremely large amount of polymer radial Fresnel lenses. Roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing is a high-throughput technology to mass produce high-quality functional optical polymer film. In this paper, we have firstly studied a complete manufacturing cycle for R2R embossing of radial Fresnel lens polymer film for CPV systems, in terms of polymer lens design, roller mold machining, R2R embossing and optical performance test. Instead of wrapping an electroplated metal sheet onto the roller in conventional R2R process, the lens pattern array is directly machined using a 5-axis ultra-precision machining system to guarantee its surface quality and accuracy. Optical performance evaluation for the manufactured polymer film using a reference solar cell is conducted, and results have shown that radial Fresnel lens on the polymer film can achieve a sunlight concentration ratio 3.9 × times that of linear lenses with a much smaller receiving area. This study has explored the feasibility for R2R embossing of optical polymer film, an industry-applicable and cost-effective technology for mass production of high-quality Fresnel lenses to be used in high-efficiency CPV systems.
关键词： Microstructure fabrication,Solar power,Optical Fresnel lens,Concentrator photovoltaics
更新于2025-09-11 14:15:04
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Framework for predicting the photodegradation of adhesion of silicone encapsulants
摘要： We developed a framework to predict and model the photodegradation of adhesion and cohesion of a silicone encapsulant for concentrator photovoltaic applications. Silicone encapsulant specimens were artificially weathered under narrow band UV filters to determine the effects of individual wavelengths within the UV spectrum on the photodegradation of the cohesion of encapsulant material and its adhesion with adjacent interfaces. The threshold wavelength, signifying the upper bound of the damaging action spectrum for the silicone, was identified from the results. In addition, specimens were artificially weathered with different relative humidities to understand the effects of moisture on the rate of photodegradation. The adhesion energy was measured using a fracture mechanics approach. The complementary delaminated surfaces were characterized to determine the failure pathway and chemistry changes resulting from photodegradation. A previously developed model was modified to account for the effects of damaging wavelengths in the terrestrial solar spectrum and reciprocity law failure due to varying UV intensity during weathering. With these modifications, the model showed good agreement with the behavior of the silicone encapsulant exposed in an outdoor solar concentrator simulating concentrator photovoltaics operating conditions. Similar studies can be adopted to develop models that can have high predictive accuracies based on accelerated aging studies.
关键词： Accelerated aging,Concentrator photovoltaics,Photodegradation,Encapsulant,Lifetime prediction,Silicone
更新于2025-09-04 15:30:14