Fabricating High-Concentration GaAs Cell Photovoltaic Modules

摘要

This program comprises the design and manufacture of components of a GaAs-cell, passively-cooled concentrator. A Fresnel lens, 5.44-inches square, was used in conjunction with a solid glass, domed-top secondary optical element to concentrate the light on single-junction GaAs cells. The cell had an active area 0.2 inches in diameter and was soldered directly to the copper heatspreader. The heatspreader was bonded with heat-conductive RTV to an aluminum dissipator, which formed the module housing. The module was designed to be attached to a tracker at the center. Obtained were 26% cell efficiency in flash tests and 19.2% combined lens/cell efficiency outdoors. Optical transmission was lower than expected due to higher than expected losses in the secondary. The secondaries were made using a molding technique applicable to mass production. (ERA citation 11:035707)