Enhanced Efficiencies for High-Concentration, Multijunction PV Systems by Optimizing Grid Spacing under Nonuniform Illumination

Sharma, Pratibha; Walker, Alexandre W.; Wheeldon, Jeffrey F.; Hinzer, Karin; Schriemer, Henry

doi:10.1155/2014/582083

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(25 reference statements)

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“…Distributed circuit models of MJSCs have been used to assess cell performance under concentration [13,14], to determine optimal grid profiles [8], to understand tunnel junction limitations under concentration [15], and to explore spatial and spectral nonuniform illumination effects [16]. In order to determine the two-diode equivalent circuit parameters needed as inputs to the distributed circuit model [17], MJSC structures are simulated and optimized for the AM1.5D spectrum using Sentaurus Device [18], a commercially-available, drift-diffusion-based simulator.…”

Section: Cpv System Modeling and Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first design is a typical lattice-matched three-junction cell (3JLM) with series-connected subcells composed of GaInP, InGaAs and Ge layers on a Ge substrate similar to [8]. Under 1 sun, the top two subcells are current matched at 13.6 mA/cm 2 while the bottom subcell overproduces at 22.5 mA/cm 2 .…”

Section: Mjsc Designsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The nonuniformly illuminated cell may see irradiance peaks which are several times larger than a uniformly illuminated cell. Nonuniform effects have been studied using experimental [4,5] and modeling approaches [6,7,8]. Among the latter, it has been found that optimizing grid spacing can partially compensate for losses due to nonuniform illumination [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonuniform effects have been studied using experimental [4,5] and modeling approaches [6,7,8]. Among the latter, it has been found that optimizing grid spacing can partially compensate for losses due to nonuniform illumination [8]. Additionally, spectrally modified spatial profiles in lens-based CPV systems can also reduce system efficiencies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Concentrating optical system optimization for 3- and 4-junction solar cells: impact of illumination profiles

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Optical component designs for concentrating photovoltaic systems with three different multijunction solar cells are optimized to yield maximum system efficiencies under standard test conditions, specifically uniform illumination. Optimization uses an integrated optoelectrical approach with ray tracing of the optical train to generate an irradiance profile for input to the cell's distributed circuit model. These cells, a three-junction lattice-matched (3JLM) solar cell, a three-junction lattice-mismatched inverted metamorphic (3JIMM) solar cell, and a four-junction lattice-matched (4JLM) solar cell, were individually designed for maximum efficiency at 1000X. The optical train introduces losses, modifies the spectrum, and produces a spatially nonuniform profile across the cell. We decouple spectral modification from spatial nonuniformity to separately determine their individual impacts on system efficiencies, finding the optimal set of optical design parameters for each case. Spectral modification yields modest loss penalties (from 1.0 to 1.6%, relative to the MJSC), but the impact of nonuniformity is more significant and cell dependent, with relative loss penalties of 1.1, 3.8 and 2.3%, for 3JLM, 3JIMM and 4JLM, respectively. While spectral modification does not significantly impact design parameters, spatial nonuniformity does, with absolute losses of 1 and 3.4% if 3JIMM and 4JLM cells are used in a 3JLM optimized system.

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Section: Cpv System Modeling and Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mjsc Designsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Concentrating optical system optimization for 3- and 4-junction solar cells: impact of illumination profiles

et al. 2017

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“…However, the necessary use of concentrating optics may result in chromatic aberration and a nonuniform illumination profile across the MJSC, thus reducing its electrical performance. Spatial non-uniformity increases the losses due to cell series resistance [4,5]. Spectral inhomogeneities will increase losses due to local subcell current limitations [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spectrally-resolved measurement of concentrated light distributions for Fresnel lens concentrators

Besson¹,

White²,

Domínguez³

et al. 2016

Opt. Express

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A test method that measures spectrally resolved irradiance distribution for a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) optical system is presented. In conjunction with electrical I-V curves, it is a means to visualize and characterize the effects of chromatic aberration and nonuniform flux profiles under controllable testing conditions. The indoor characterization test bench, METHOD (Measurement of Electrical, Thermal and Optical Devices), decouples the temperatures of the primary optical element (POE) and the cell allowing their respective effects on optical and electrical performance to be analysed. In varying the temperature of the POE, the effects on electrical efficiency, focal distance, spectral sensitivity, acceptance angle and multi-junction current matching profiles can be quantified. This work presents the calibration procedures to accurately image the spectral irradiance distribution of a CPV system and a study of system behavior over lens temperature. IEEE, 1994), pp. 1791-1794. 7. P. Espinet-González, R. Mohedano, I. García, P. Zamora, I. Rey-Stolle, P. Benitez, C. Algora, A. Cvetkovic, M.Hernández, J. Chaves, J. C. Miñano, and Y. Li, "Triple-junction solar cell performance under fresnel-based concentrators taking into account chromatic aberration and off-axis operation," in CPV8 Conf.

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PV‐GO: A multiobjective and robust optimization approach for the grid metallization design of Si‐based solar cells and modules

Rodríguez-Gallegos

Singh

Ali

et al. 2018

Progress in Photovoltaics

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This paper proposes a new optimization approach for the metallization design of solar cells and modules. While previous works have only optimized a maximum of two parameters at a time (which might lead to the loss of the optimal solution), we developed a graphic user interface tool in MATLAB called Photovoltaic Grid Optimizer (PV‐GO) which is able to optimize several parameters in parallel (fingers, busbars, silver pads, and ribbons) with the objectives to enhance the efficiency of the solar cell/module and to reduce the silver consumption. The fabrication cost is subsequently estimated. Two multiobjective optimization algorithms are used: Non‐dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA‐II) and Multi‐objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) as well as a robust condition to ensure that the results are not severely affected by slight changes on the input parameters. The solar cell/module performance is estimated based on the two‐diode model considering the influence of the optimization variables under standard test conditions (STC). To evaluate our methodology, we present the optimization design for industrial Cz‐Si–based p‐type Al‐BSF monofacial and PERT bifacial, full‐cell (15.6 × 15.6 cm2) and half‐cell (15.6 × 7.8 cm2), solar cells and modules. Our methodology provides an optimal design suitable for different market situations that should be considered by the PV manufactures to enhance their electrical performance and reduce their silver consumption, and ultimately improve their profitability.

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Enhanced Efficiencies for High-Concentration, Multijunction PV Systems by Optimizing Grid Spacing under Nonuniform Illumination

Cited by 18 publications

References 18 publications

Concentrating optical system optimization for 3- and 4-junction solar cells: impact of illumination profiles

Concentrating optical system optimization for 3- and 4-junction solar cells: impact of illumination profiles

Spectrally-resolved measurement of concentrated light distributions for Fresnel lens concentrators

PV‐GO: A multiobjective and robust optimization approach for the grid metallization design of Si‐based solar cells and modules

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