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Experimental demonstration of a dispersive spectral splitting concentrator for high efficiency photovoltaics

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Abstract

We report the experimental demonstration of a low-cost paradigm for photovoltaic power generation that utilizes a prismatic Fresnel-like lens to simultaneously concentrate and separate sunlight into laterally spaced spectral bands. The optical element is designed using geometric optics and optical dispersion and its performance is simulated with a ray-tracing software. The device, fabricated by injection molding, suitable for large-scale mass production, is experimentally characterized. We report an average optical transmittance above 85% over the VIS-IR range and spectral separation in excellent agreement with our simulations. Finally, the system is tested with a pair of copper indium gallium selenide based solar cells. We demonstrate an increase in peak electrical power output of 160% under outdoor sunlight illumination, corresponding to an increase in power conversion efficiency of 15% relative to single-junction full-spectrum one-sun illumination. Given the ease of manufacturability and the potential of the proposed solution, we project that our design can provide a cost-effective alternative to multi-junction solar cells ready for mass production.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Energy and NanoScience (LENS), Center for Future Energy Systems (iFES), Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 54224, Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Carlo Maragliano & Matteo Chiesa

  2. Istituto Materiali per l’Elettronica ed il Magnetismo, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Parco Area delle Scienze 37/A, 43124, Parma, Italy

    Marco Stefancich

Authors
  1. Carlo Maragliano
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  2. Matteo Chiesa
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  3. Marco Stefancich
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Maragliano, C., Chiesa, M. & Stefancich, M. Experimental demonstration of a dispersive spectral splitting concentrator for high efficiency photovoltaics. MRS Advances 1, 949–955 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2016.98

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2016.98

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