Abstract:
High-efficiency concentrator photovoltaic modules have been developed and fabricated. The modules include a lens panel based on 32 Fresnel lenses (12 $\times$ 12 cm each), 32 multi-junction solar cells with secondary concentrators in the form of phocons, and heat-removing electrically insulating boards based on an aluminum oxide ceramic placed on the backside aluminum base. Efficiency measurements of a 0.46-m$^2$ module under a pulsed sunlight simulator (AM1.5D, 1000 W/m$^2$) yielded a value of 32.3%. An efficiency of 33.9% was obtained for a subunit with an area of 144 cm$^2$.
Keywords:concentrator photovoltaic module, Fresnel lens, cascaded solar cells, phocon.