Spectrolab has leveraged its expertise in space photovoltaic products to fabricate multijunction solar cells that are optimized for the terrestrial spectrum. The use of the high-efficiency multijunction solar cells in a high-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) module offers the best opportunity to bring down the cost of solar energy, making it a commercially viable option for providing electricity in the terrestrial markets.
Spectrolab is in the business of working with different customers to develop and commercialize the use of multijunction cells in HCPV modules. Our customers are the module manufacturers who rely on Spectrolab being the provider for the high-efficiency solar cells. Spectrolab leverages external and internal investments in order to continuously advance the state-of-the-art in solar cell technology. In 2001, Spectrolab and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) demonstrated a world-record concentrator triple-junction cell of 34.2% conversion efficiency. Spectrolab has continued to produce world-record concentrator cells, the latest of which is the 40.7% efficient cell in December 2006
How does a concentrator system lower the cost of solar energy?
How does a concentrator system lower the cost of solar energy:
Under 500-sun concentration, for example, one square centimeter of solar cell area produces the same electricity as 500 cm2 would without concentration. The use of concentration, therefore, enables the replacement of the more expensive semiconductor area with cheaper materials (e.g., lenses or mirrors). The use of concentration, however, requires that the module use a dual-axis tracking system, in addition to providing an efficient heat removal mechanism. Still, the savings in the semiconductor area and the higher output due to the use of the higher cell efficiency make the use of HCPV modules with multijunction cells more economical.
发表于 2008-3-13 14:20:52
