Many proposals have been made to increase solar array efficiency by using two or more cells with appropriately spaced bandgaps to span a greater portion of the incident spectrum. One such technique is to split the solar spectrum and focus each portion on a different cell bandgap. Each bandgap is selected to best match the input spectral portion and thus obtain maximum efficiency. This paper reports on the reexamination of the spectrally split, individually matched cell approach using modern-day optics and lightweight structures. The RAINBOW multi-bandgap system represents a unique combination of solar cells, concentrators and beam splitters. The use of separate cells offers the widest possible scope of material choices. Many different component combinations are possible. The relatively low temperature operation, due to reduced thermal input per cell, adds to the performance increase. Finally, RAINBOW is a flexible system which can readily expand as new high efficiency components are developed. Based to a large extent on data for real cells and optical components, RAINBOW is expected to convert over 40% of incident solar energy to electricity at the system level. This conclusion is based on preliminary analyses of cell and optics performances.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Multi-bandgap high efficiency converter (RAINBOW)


    Contributors:
    Lewis, C.R. (author) / Phillips, W.M. (author) / Shields, V.B. (author) / Stella, P.M. (author) / Bekey, I. (author)


    Publication date :

    1997


    Size :

    6 Seiten, 11 Quellen




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Multi Band Gap High Efficiency Converter (RAINBOW)

    Bekey, I. / Lewis, C. / Phillips, W. et al. | NTRS | 1997



    Rainbow: A New Ultra-High Efficiency Solar Array

    Bekey, I. / Marzwell, N. | NTRS | 1998



    HIGH EFFICIENCY MULTI-OUTPUT CONVERTER WITH ASYMMETRIC POWERING

    KIM JAE KUK / LEE BOMSEOK | European Patent Office | 2019

    Free access