Performance of monolithic integrated series-connected gaas solar cells under concentrated light

Abstract

The concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system provides excellent cost performance and conversion efficiency by increasing the concentration ratio. The problem is that concentration ratio is limited by short-circuit current density (Jsc) due to cell resistance loss. In order to achieve much larger concentration ratio, the monolithically integrated series connected GaAs photovoltaic (PV) cells were fabricated. By dividing a cell into sub-cells on a chip and connecting them in series, the cell provides smaller short-circuit current (Isc) and larger open-circuit voltage (Voc). This approach can reduce joule energy loss inside a cell without decreasing electrical power output and allow much larger concentration ratio. In our design, 10 series-connected sub-cells, with bypass diodes in parallel with each sub-cell, were integrated monolithically on semi-insulating GaAs. When some sub-cells in the array were shaded, the bypass diodes prevented the shaded sub-cells from breakdown and reduced fluctuation of power output. The detection area of a unit cell was 1.73 mm2 and an entire detection area occupied over 68% of the whole chip area. The arrayed 10 cells exhibited Voc of 9.0 V under illumination (AM 1.5G). The series-connected cell achieved maximum efficiency at higher concentration ratio than non-series-connected cell.