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View Full Version : Advanced light-weight Solar cell cranks out power



Bob
29th April 2016, 15:34
Solar efficiency is measured and certified by the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

According to NREL’s testing, Alta Devices (http://www.altadevices.com/about/)’ new dual-junction solar cell is the world’s most efficient 1-sun cell at 31.6 percent efficiency.

This is the seventh overall solar efficiency record that Alta Devices has set since 2010.

This is accomplished by using a "dual junction technology".

It builds on the basic GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) approach, but implements a second junction (or layer) with Indium Gallium Phosphide (InGaP).

Because InGaP uses high-energy photons more efficiently, the new dual-junction cell generates more electricity from the same amount of light than a single-junction device.

With this breakthrough, Alta currently holds both the dual-junction and single-junction records at 31.6 and 28.8 percent.

And it is light-weight.

This allows for applications such as "sunlight powered aircraft" http://cc.amazingcounters.com/counter.php?i=3190880&c=9572953:


http://www.intelligent-aerospace.com/content/dam/avi/online-articles/2016/04/Alta%20Puma.JPG.scale.LARGE.JPG

Applying the technology to sunlight powered homes could be possible. This type of solar-cell would be ideal for use in unmanned systems, consumer electronics, sensors, automotive, remote exploration, or anywhere size, weight, and mobility matter.

Of course the military has it's eye on Alta for powering unmanned drones..

Bob
29th April 2016, 15:53
Dual Junction Photo-Voltaic Cells

(reference (http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/apl/94/5/10.1063/1.3078817))

Efficiencies of over 40% at 1000 suns may be achieved by extending this approach to triple-junction devices.

Triple Junction example:


http://sokhcn.baria-vungtau.gov.vn/Content/UserImages/20082014080741sc_04.jpg

Quad Junction example:


http://chanlo.com/images/quad-pv-1.jpg

This technique of stacking and allowing the sunlight to pass-through the top layers allows for more 'energy' extraction.

It's like having semi-transparent photo-voltaics stacked to minimize linear exposure area.. More power for a given amount of square footage... AND the potential to build this light weight..

Red Skywalker
29th April 2016, 18:26
Next step is a major breakthrough in storing the energy; better long live batteries.
Waiting ...