High voltage silicon VMJ solar cells for up to 1000 suns intensities

High voltage silicon vertical multi-junction (VMJ) solar cells are ideally suited for providing efficient operation at solar intensities exceeding 1000 suns AM1.5. This paper discusses the unique features and advantages of the VMJ cell. The authors believe the high output power performance capability and manufacturing simplicity of VMJ cells will enable more cost-effective photovoltaic concentrator system designs. Preliminary test data is shown for a 0.78 cm² VMJ cell with 40 series connected junctions producing 31.8 watts at 25.5 volts at near 2500 suns AM1.5 intensity (40.4 watts per cm² output at 211 watts per cm² input with an estimated efficiency near 20%).