BRINGING III-V MULTIJUNCTIONS DOWN TO EARTH: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIALIZATION OF TERRESTRIAL CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS

摘要

Development of both solar cell technology and manufacturing methods are underway to support thecommercialization of multijunction solar cells for use in concentrating PV systems. Space solar cell device technology andmanufacturing methods are leveraged when applicable, while manufacturing methods and equipment used by the integratedcircuit industry are being employed to complete a transition to high volume manufacturing. Very high efficiencies of 36.5%have been achieved at 700 Suns for production-ready solar cells. These devices are now being manufactured for severalconcentrator system integrators. Production test techniques and results are described and roadmaps for both solar celldevelopment and high volume production test capacity are presented.