Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research

Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies

Ultra high flux concentrator photovoltaics optimization

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

"Master of Science"

By: Omer Korech

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September 2007

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research

Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies

Ultra high flux concentrator photovoltaics optimization

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

"Master of Science"

By: Omer Korech

Under the Supervision of: Prof. Jeffrey M. Gordon and Dr. Eugene A. Katz

Department of Solar Energy and Environmental Physics

Author's signature …………….………………………. Date: …………………

Approved by the Supervisor……….………………….. Date: …………………

Approved by the Director of the School …….………... Date: …………………

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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research,

Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, 2007

Ultra high flux concentrator photovoltaics optimization

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of “Master

of Science" by Omer Korech

Abstract
A characterization study of ultrasmall ultraefficient multijunction concentrator solar cells

under realistic illumination conditions is presented, with emphasis on performance

sensitivity to light intensity and distribution. Information of this type is essential in the

design and optimization of the latest generations of high-flux photovoltaic systems. Cell

miniaturization allows increasing the concentration at which efficiency peaks, facilitates

passive heat rejection, and permits the use of all-glass optics. However, few device

measurements have been published on ultrasmall cells. Extensive measurements, up to

~5000 suns, on the 1.0 mm2 active region within the busbars are reported and analyzed.

The standard model which assumes lumped series resistance was insuficient to

account for the experimental results. For that reason a new explicit model which relaxes

that assumption was developed and its non-trivial predictions were explored. The

combinations of the new model with first order heat transfer corrections agreed much

better with the experimental results.

The practical orientation of this work is evidenced in its improvement

suggestions. One of these suggestions was explored in greater detail and resulted in a
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pending patent of dielectric optics that completely eliminates front contact shading losses

and enhances efficiency.

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the financial support which is the

concrete basis of my study. This work was supported through a scholarship of the

Albert Katz International School Foundation and I am grateful for that.

In a personal note, I would also like to thank from the depth of my heart to all the

good people who make Sde-Boqer the magical place it is. There is no wonder that

with these people around, the time I spent in Sde-Boqer was the best in my life.

Let me name explicitly those who made the strongest direct contribution to me:

• When you register to BGU from India you understand the difference

between good secretary and an outstanding person like Dorit Levin, who also

treat all other students as if they were her children.

• My teachers: Arna Peretz who didn’t scrimp her time and effort;

Amos Zemel who shaped my scientific thinking; and Daniel Feuermann

whose modest personality is a source of inspiration.

• Our technician Vladimir Melnichack, the best experimentalist I ever

knew.

• My closest friends: Celine Bounioax, Reuma Arusi, Baruch Hirsch

and Doron Nakar.

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• Above and beyond everyone, a very special gratitude deserves to my

supervisors Jeffrey M. Gordon and Eugene A. Katz who nurtured and

believed in me even more than myself.

Table of Contents

Preface

Cover page…...……………………………………………………………….....I

Title page...…………………………………………………………………......II

Abstract…...………………………………………………………………........III

Acknowledgements……...……………………………………………..............IV

Table of contents………...……………………………………………………...V

List of figures…………………….……………………………………………VIII

Abbreviation and terms………………………………………………………....IX

1. Introduction

1.1. Motivation……………………………………….…….……………………….1

1.2. Standard solar cell models ……………………….…….………………............1

1.2.1. The standard ideal solar cell model ………….…….…………………...1

1.2.2. The standard real solar cell model …………….…………………......…4

1.3. Novel solar cells ……………………………………….……………………....6

1.3.1. Multijunction solar cells.……………………….………………….……6

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1.3.2. Ultra small cells…………….………………….……………………..…7

1.4. Research objectives……………………………………….…………………....8

2. Experimental protocol

Cell module................……………………………………………….…………10

2.1.1. Solar cell under study…………………………………………………...10

2.1.2. Heat sink (passive cooling) and thermocouple………….….…………....10

2.1.3. I-V curve tracer…………………………………………….…….………11

2.2. Illumination module……………………….……………………....……………12

2.2.1. The mini-dish system…………………………………….…...…….……12

2.2.2. Illumination modes……………….……………………....……………...13

2.2.3. Input power.……………………………………….……….....................14

3. Model for realistic operational conditions

3.1. Quantifying temperature effects ……………………………………………….16

3.1.1. Voltage dependence…….……………………………………………….16

3.1.2. Heat resistance…………………………………………………………...18

3.2. New semi-analytic model for non-uniform illumination…………………….…20

3.2.1. Deviations from the standard real model……………………………..…20

3.2.2. Model assumptions………………………………………………………21

3.2.3. Derivation……………………………………………………………..…23

3.3. Analyzing the model………...……………………………………………….…26

4. Results and Discussion

4.1. Experimental results………………………………………………………….…29

4.1.1. Gain factor……………………………………………….………………30

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4.1.2. Efficiency………………………………………………….……………..32

4.1.3. Fill Factor………………………………………………………………...33

4.1.4. Open circuit voltage……………………………………………………...34

4.2. Discussion……………………………………………………………………….36

4.2.1. Standard model………………………………………………………..…36

4.2.2. New model………………………………………………………………36

5. Efficiency enhancer patent

5.1. Shading and series resistance trade off……….………………………………..40

5.2. Optical design strategy…………………………………………………………41

5.3. Micro-concentrator contours…………………………………………………...43

6. Summary

6.1. Experimental………………………………..............………………………......48

6.2. Theoretical……………………………………………………………………...49

6.3. Practical………………………………………………………………………...49

References…….………………………………………………………………………..51

Appendix I: High-flux characterization of ultrasmall multijunction concentrator solar cells,

Omer Korech, Baruch Hirsch, Eugene A. Katz and Jeffrey M. Gordon
Applied Physics Letters 91, 064101 (2007)

Appendix II: Dielectric micro-concentrators for efficiency enhancement in concentrator solar

cells, Omer Korech, Jeffrey M. Gordon, Eugene A. Katz, Daniel
Feuermann and Naftali Eisenberg. Optic Letters Vol. 32, No. 19 (2007)
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List of figures and tables

1.1 Equivalent circuit of an ideal solar cell

2
1.2 Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of ideal diode in light and dark
3
1.3 Equivalent circuit of a solar cell with parasitic resistances
4
1.4 Typical efficiency variation of a solar cell
6
1.5 Schematic cross-section of the cell under study
7
1.6 Efficiency Vs. Concentration for several cell sizes at room temperature
7
1.7 Generation 2 module
8
2.1 GaInP2/GaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells
10
2.2 I-V tracer
11
2.3 Mini-dish concentration set-up
12
2.4 Comparison between ambient solar spectrum and the mini-dish system
13
2.5 Areas of the 0.6 and 1.0 mm LIP
14
2.6 Experiment setup in lab
15
3.1 Bandgap temperature dependence
17
3.2 Solar cell layers
19
3.3 Solar cell in view of distributed series resistance model.
21
3.4 Truncated pyramid simulates a lateral voltage profile
24
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3.5 Dark current parts following the truncated pyramid profile

25
4.1 I-V curves
29
4.2 Gain factor
31
4.3 Efficiency
32
4.4 Fill factor
34
4.5 Open circuit voltage
35
4.6 Model fits
38
5-1 Power loss vs. gridline spacing 40
5-2 A section of the cell's metal grid and an ADMC 41
5-3 ADMC contour 43
5-4 Overlapping concentrator troughs 46
5-5 Micro-concentrator aspect ratio (AR) as a function of Concentration 46

Table I: Unfitted parameters used in the new model 37

Table II: Fitted parameters used in the new model 39

Abbreviation

η Cell efficiency
θ1 Incident angle (from macro concentrator to ADMC)
θ2 Exit angle (From ADMC to the solar cell)
θT Truncation angle
σ2 Correction factor
1 sun 1kW/m2=1mW/mm2 [Power density]
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AR Aspect ratio
C Concentration
Ei(x) Exponential integral
f Fraction of illuminated area
FF Fill factor
G Calibration constant of a cell (Isc/Pin)
I0 Reverse saturation current
ID Dark current
Ii Illuminated current
Imp Current at the maximum power
Ip Photo-generated current
Isc Short-circuit current
J0 Reverse saturation current density
k Boltzmann constant
LIP Local illumination probe
HLIP Highly localized irradiation probe
n Quality factor (chapters 1-4)
n Refractive index (chapter 5 only)
Pin Input power
Pmax Maximum power
q Charge of electron
R Resistance (whether heat or electrical is context dependent)
Rs Lumped series resistance (under uniform illumination)
Rsh Shunt resistance
T Temperature of the cell
TREF Reference (room) temperature
V Voltage
VJ Junction voltage
VL Load voltage ≡ Busbars voltage
V+ Maximum voltage difference within the cell
Vmp Voltage at the maximum power
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Voc Open-circuit voltage

VT Thermal voltage
EGO, a. γ Constants