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A three solar cell system based on a self-supporting, transparent AlGaAs top solar cellDevelopment of a three solar cell stack can lead to practical efficiencies greater than 30 percent (1x,AM0). A theoretical efficiency limitation of 43.7 percent at AM0 and one sun is predicted by this model. Including expected losses, a practical system efficiency of 36.8 percent is anticipated. These calculations are based on a 1.93eV/1.43eV/0.89eV energy band gap combination. AlGaAs/GaAs/GaInAsP materials can be used with a six-terminal wiring configuration. The key issues for multijunction solar cells are the top and middle solar cell performance and the sub-bandgap transparency. AstroPower has developed a technique to fabricate AlGaAs solar cells on rugged, self-supporting, transparent AlGaAs substrates. Top solar cell efficiencies greater than 11 percent AM0 have been achieved. State-of-the-art GaAs or InP devices will be used for the middle solar cell. GaInAsP will be used to fabricate the bottom solar cell. This material is lattice-matched to InP and offers a wide range of bandgaps for optimization of the three solar cell stack. Liquid phase epitaxy is being used to grow the quaternary material. Initial solar cells have shown open-circuit voltages of 462 mV for a bandgap of 0.92eV. Design rules for the multijunction three solar cell stack are discussed. The progress in the development of the self-supporting AlGaAs top solar cell and the GaInAsP bottom solar cell is presented.
Document ID
19890015352
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Negley, Gerald H. (Astrosystems International, Inc., Newark DE., United States)
Rhoads, Sandra L. (Astrosystems International, Inc., Newark DE., United States)
Terranova, Nancy E. (Astrosystems International, Inc., Newark DE., United States)
Mcneely, James B. (Astrosystems International, Inc., Newark DE., United States)
Barnett, Allen M. (Delaware Univ. Newark., United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Lewis Research Center, Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology, 1988. High Efficiency, Space Environment, and Array Technology
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Accession Number
89N24723
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: F33615-88-C-2807
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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