Microconcentration for space applications: A 7.6X TIR design

Abstract

In Low Irradiation and Low Temperature (LILT) environments, the performances of silicon and III-V multijunction solar cells is degraded because of the conjugated decreases of Jsc and Voc under low irradiation although with lower temperature their Voc increases [1, 2]. Effect of shunt resistance added to the "flat spot effect" can create a drop in their fill factor, following the quality of the materials and the process of the front metallization [3]. Concentrator photovoltaics technology could be suitable for powering spatial missions in LILT environments [4, 5]. Moreover, compared to classical concentrators, micro-concentrators increase electrical performances while decreasing costs [6]. This work describes a new concept especially dedicated to space application: a linear Total Internal Reflection (TIR) module running at a low concentration of 7.6X called SLIT (Space Linear TIR) module.