Development of Concentrator Modules with Dome-shaped Fresnel Lenses and Triple-junction Concentrator Cells

摘要

The status of the development of a new concentrator module in Japan is discussed based on three arguments, performance, reliability and cost. We have achieved o 26-6 percent peak uncorrected efficiency from a 7056 cm2 400 x module with 36 solar cells connected in series, measured in house. The peak uncorrected efficiencies of the same type of the module with 6 solar cells connected in series and 1176 cm2 aria measured by Fraunhofer ISE and NREL are reported as 27-4 percent and 24-8 percent respectively. The peak uncorrected efficiency for a 550 x and 5445 cm2 module with 20 solar cells connected in series was 28-9 percent in house. The temperature-corrected efficiency of the 550 x module under optimal solar irradiation condition was 31-5+1- 7 percent. In terms of performance, the annual power generation is discussed based on a side-by-side evaluation against a 14 percent commercial multicrystalline silicon module. For reliability, some new degradation modes inherent to high concentration Ill-V solar cell system, are discussed and a 20-year lifetime under concentrated flux exposure proven. The fail-safe issues concerning the concentrated sunlight are also discussed, Moreover, the overall scenario for the reduction of material cost is discussed.