The silicon interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cell, a relatively new design that has been demonstrated to have greater than 25% efficiency at 100 suns, air mass 1.5, is discussed. The design cells for space use have been investigated using 2-D computer simulations. Near-optimal designs have been presented for missions using either planar or 100-sun concentration arrays, under high or negligible radiation fluences. In the low-radiation environment the minority and majority carrier collection regions should be of comparable width, with thicknesses of 0.9 mu m and 3.0 mu m, respectively. In a high-radiation environment, a different design is used to maximize the end-of-life performance. The overall conclusion of this study is that properly designed IBC cells can yield performance which is comparable with (or superior to) competing silicon and gallium arsenide technologies.
Analysis of interdigitated back contact silicon solar cells for space use
Analyse von interdigitierten Rückseitenkontakt-Silicium-Sonnenzellen für die Raumfahrt
1989
7 Seiten, 6 Quellen
Conference paper
English