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The 25 percent-efficient GaAs Cassegrainian concentrator cellVery high-efficiency GaAs Cassegrainian solar cells have been fabricated in both the n-p and p-n configurations. The n-p configuration exhibits the highest efficiency at concentration, the best cells having an efficiency eta of 24.5 percent (100X, AM0, temperature T = 28 C). Although the cells are designed for operation at this concentration, peak efficiency is observed near 300 suns (eta = 25.1 percent). To our knowledge, this is the highest reported solar cell efficiency for space applications. The improvement in efficiency over that reported at the previous SPRAT conference is attributed primarily to lower series resistance and improved grid-line plating procedures. Using previously measured temperature coefficients, researchers estimate that the n-p GaAs cells should deliver approximately 22.5 percent efficiency at the operating conditions of 100 suns and T = 80 C. This performance exceeds the NASA program goal of 22 percent for the Cassegrainian cell. One hundred Cassegrainian cells have been sent to NASA as deliverables, sixty-eight in the n-p configuration and thirty-two in the p-n configuration.
Document ID
19890015362
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hamaker, H. C. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Grounner, M. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Kaminar, N. R. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Kuryla, M. S. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Ladle, M. J. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Liu, D. D. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Macmillan, H. F. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Partain, L. D. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Virshup, G. F. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Werthen, J. G. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Lewis Research Center, Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology, 1988. High Efficiency. Space Environment, and Array Technology
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Accession Number
89N24733
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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