A Better Solar Cell

C M Edwards · 2006-12-08 20:50:14

Researchers have recently developed a multijunction photovoltaic cell with 40% efficiency. That's double the efficiency of the best silicon solar cells, and about four times the average performance of silicon cells. This is, of course, not the most efficient solar cell in existence, but it may soon be among the best currently available. These cells are notable because they are relatively easy and practical to manufacture.

The article in the link talks of only using these devices in concentrator arrays, but there's no physical limitation that would prevent them being used alone. That's code for "so expensive that they're only cost competitive with a concentrator." However, having a consistent manufacturing process can make them publicly available, and the increased price is unlikely to exceed the savings on interplanetary transportation for a smaller array.

This could become an important off-the shelf technology for space exploration.

SpaceNut · 2006-12-09 15:32:28

Here is another of those areas of investigation that might also lead to other advances in solar cell construction.

Professor devises new form of solar cell

Could more than double the cell efficiency, help break oil dependency
a "quantum dot" that is made of elements that include copper, indium and selenium. Shapiro said that the quantum dots would be embedded between layers of a solar cell and would absorb energy that is otherwise wasted due to overheating.

cjchandler · 2007-03-17 12:24:50

Don't know what the price on these is, but at 236 suns solar concentration they have 39% efficency, and are thin and light weight to boot.
http://www.spectrolab.com/DataSheets/TNJCell/utj3.pdf

C M Edwards · 2007-03-18 14:04:07

Don't know what the price on these is, but at 236 suns solar concentration they have 39% efficency, and are thin and light weight to boot.
http://www.spectrolab.com/DataSheets/TNJCell/utj3.pdf

The manufacturer's brochure you linked to doesn't cover their performance under a concentrator, but being rated at 28% efficiency per ISO standards (NOT just under laboratory conditions) is nothing to sneeze at.

It looks like it's time to start revising some of our calculations upward from 10% (for silicone homojunction cells).

cjchandler · 2007-03-18 16:02:33

Sorry,
I should have posted this other link too. I'm converted. JP areospace has a shot at it with these things.
http://www.parc.xerox.com/research/publ … s/5706.pdf

SpaceNut · 2007-03-19 05:45:14

United Solar Ovonic Awarded To Develop New Solarcells For Space And Airship Applications

http://www.uni-solar.com/

an 18-month contractual option for $9.1 million with United Solar Ovonic to develop new solar cell technology to be used in space and airship vehicles addressing defense and homeland security applications.
to develop ultralightweight solar arrays on thin stainless steel foils and polymers for use in space and airship vehicles

SpaceNut · 2007-04-13 15:36:25

New solar panel design traps more light; 3-D panels produce about 60 times more than traditional solar cells

a new solar panel unveiled this month by the Georgia Tech Research Institute hopes to brighten the future of the energy source.

cjchandler · 2007-04-13 19:57:59

Neat, I wonder what the power to weight will be like. Probably too far off to tell.

SpaceNut · 2007-07-31 19:54:50

Combine an optical concentrator, various materials (silicon, germanium, etc.) to split the incoming light into three buckets. The materials used react differently to different parts of the solar spectrum as in high energy, low energy, and medium energy making this new device convert 42.8 percent of the light that strikes it into electricity.

A new record in solar cells

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#1 2006-12-08 20:50:14

Re: A Better Solar Cell

#2 2006-12-09 15:32:28

Re: A Better Solar Cell

#3 2007-03-17 12:24:50

Re: A Better Solar Cell

#4 2007-03-18 14:04:07

Re: A Better Solar Cell

#5 2007-03-18 16:02:33

Re: A Better Solar Cell

#6 2007-03-19 05:45:14

Re: A Better Solar Cell

#7 2007-04-13 15:36:25

Re: A Better Solar Cell

#8 2007-04-13 19:57:59

Re: A Better Solar Cell

#9 2007-07-31 19:54:50

Re: A Better Solar Cell

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