Thermal test and simulation of alumina receiver with high efficiency multi-junction solar cell for concentrator systems

Simon Chow; Christopher E. Valdivia; Jeffrey F. Wheeldon; Richard Ares; Osvaldo Jesus Arenas; Vincent Aimez; David McMeekin; Simon Fafard; Karin Hinzer

doi:10.1117/12.872894

22 September 2010 Thermal test and simulation of alumina receiver with high efficiency multi-junction solar cell for concentrator systems

Simon Chow, Christopher E. Valdivia, Jeffrey F. Wheeldon, Richard Ares, Osvaldo Jesus Arenas, Vincent Aimez, David McMeekin, Simon Fafard, Karin Hinzer

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7750, Photonics North 2010; 775035 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.872894
Event: Photonics North 2010, 2010, Niagara Falls, Canada

Abstract

The thermal performances of multi-junction solar cells, mounted on receivers, are studied to determine the change in device efficiency with respect to sunlight concentration under continuous illumination. Experimental characterization of the device was performed by measuring the solar cell current-voltage curve using both flash and continuous-illumination solar simulators. We are able to extract the change in efficiency and open circuit voltage with respect to the change in concentration from experiments with respect to the application of thermal paste between the receiver and the heat exchange. We show the efficiency linearly decrease at a rate of -0.0094%/°C (no paste) and -0.0043%/°C (paste). We used the calibrated numerical model to determine the solar cell temperature and incorporate the corresponding efficiency when scaled up to 2000 sun concentrations under continuous illumination.

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Simon Chow, Christopher E. Valdivia, Jeffrey F. Wheeldon, Richard Ares, Osvaldo Jesus Arenas, Vincent Aimez, David McMeekin, Simon Fafard, and Karin Hinzer "Thermal test and simulation of alumina receiver with high efficiency multi-junction solar cell for concentrator systems", Proc. SPIE 7750, Photonics North 2010, 775035 (22 September 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.872894

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