7-11 July 2014
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
<a href="http://events.saip.org.za/internalPage.py?pageId=16&confId=34"><font color=#0000ff>SAIP2014 Proceedings published on 17 April 2015</font></a>

The evaluation and simulated performance of the potential current produce from Multi-junction cells.

10 Jul 2014, 10:00
20m
D Les 103

D Les 103

Oral Presentation Track F - Applied Physics Applied

Speaker

Mr Ross Schultz (NMMU)

Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> &nbsp; award (Yes / No)?

yes

Level for award<br>&nbsp;(Hons, MSc, <br> &nbsp; PhD)?

phd

Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?

yes

Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution

Prof E.E van Dyk
Ernest.vanDyk@nmmu.ac.za
NMMU

Abstract content <br> &nbsp; (Max 300 words)<br><a href="http://events.saip.org.za/getFile.py/access?resId=0&materialId=0&confId=34" target="_blank">Formatting &<br>Special chars</a>

Concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) devices comprise of a number of semiconductor materials, with multiple series-connected junctions monolithically integrated. These devices offer a higher absorption of energy from a wider spectral range than that of conventional photovoltaic (PV) cells. This is achieved by means of the monolithically stacked junctions having there own specific spectral response absorbing in different wavelength regions. However, due to a CPV device consisting of series-connected junctions, it can become current limited by the underperformance of any of the junctions. Under standardized operating conditions, most of the device’s junctions current densities are well matched. However, under operation in the field, the influence of the optical system as well as the dynamic change of the solar spectrum can result in varying amounts of current mismatch due to different junctions producing uneven currents. In this paper, the influence of the optical components used in a High Concentrator Photovoltaic (HCPV) module employing a commercial Concentrator Triple Junction (CTJ) cell while operation under outdoor conditions will be discussed. From the performance analysis of the CTJ cells, recommendations will be made to offset the loss mechanisms and to optimize the performance of a multi-junction cell. Additionally, simulations preformed on other multi-junction devices will also be discussed and shown how the CTJ device’s performance can be improved.

Primary author

Mr Ross Schultz (NMMU)

Co-authors

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