Title :
Advancing solar cells to the limit with energy cascading
Author :
Kirk, Alexander P.
Author_Institution :
Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ, USA
Abstract :
An analysis of six-junction (6J) concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar cells and modules versus combined cycle power plants is presented in order to determine if the power conversion efficiency of 6J CPV modules can equal or exceed the power conversion efficiency of combined gas turbine/steam turbine power plants. The 6J CPV solar cells are modeled with a realistic DNI solar spectrum at Phoenix, AZ, USA and then CPV cell efficiency and module system efficiency is calculated. Six junction CPV cells and modules will have to be pushed close to their limits in order to approach the performance of combined cycle power plants. If this is the case, it may be possible to realize ~ 50% CPV module AC efficiency with advanced 6J CPV cells and optimized balance of systems.
Keywords :
energy conservation; solar cells; solar energy concentrators; 6J CPV solar cell; AC efficiency; AZ; CPV module; DNI solar spectrum; Phoenix; USA; cell efficiency; combined cycle power plant; combined gas turbine-steam turbine power plant; energy cascading; module system efficiency; power conversion efficiency; six-junction concentrated photovoltaic solar cell; Junctions; Optics; Photonics; Photovoltaic cells; Power conversion; Turbines; energy cascading; multijunction; photovoltaic cell; power conversion efficiency; solar cell;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2013 IEEE 39th
Conference_Location :
Tampa, FL
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.2013.6744265
