Publications Details

Next Generation Photovoltaic Technologies For High-Performance Remote Power Generation (Final Report)

Lentine, Anthony L.; Nielson, Greg N.; Riley, Daniel R.; Okandan, M.; Sweatt, W.C.; Jared, Bradley H.; Resnick, Paul J.; Kim, B.; Kratochvil, Jay; Anderson, B.J.; Cruz-Campa, J.L.; Gupta, Vipin P.; Tauke-Pedretti, Anna; Cederberg, J.G.; Paap, Scott M.; Sanchez, Carlos A.; Nordquist, Christopher N.; Saavedra, Michael P.; Ballance, Mark H.; Nguyen, J.; Alford, Charles A.; Nelson, John S.; Lavin, Judith M.; Clews, P.; Pluym, Tammy P.; Wierer, J.; Wang, George T.; Biefeld, Robert M.; Luk, Ting S.; Brener, Igal B.; Granata, J.; Aguirre, Brandon A.; Haney, Mike; Agrawal, Gautam; Gu, Tian

A unique, micro-scale architecture is proposed to create a novel hybrid concentrated photovoltaic system. Micro-scale (sub-millimeter wide), multi-junction cells are attached to a large-area silicon cell backplane (several inches wide) that can optimally collect both direct and diffuse light. By using multi- junction III-V cells, we can get the highest possible efficiency of the direct light input. In addition, by collecting the diffuse light in the large-area silicon cell, we can produce power on cloudy days when the concentrating cells would have minimal output. Through the use of micro-scale cells and lenses, the overall assembly will provide higher efficiency than conventional concentrators and flat plates, while keeping the form factor of a flat plate module. This report describes the hybrid concept, the design of a prototype, including the PV cells and optics, and the experimental results.