Very High Efficiency Solar Cell (VHESC)
Abstract
The Very High Efficiency Solar Cell (VHESC) program seeks to raise the system power efficiency of a new class of solar modules to forty percent and deliver engineering prototype modules that are producible. The modules use a novel optical system that splits light from the Sun into at least two different paths corresponding to the color of the light, and concentrates the light onto photovoltaic (PV) cells that cover different segments of the solar spectrum. System power efficiency includes all factors that impact the system (module) power efficiency, such as the transmission of light through the optics as well as the individual efficiencies of the PV cells. Analysis predicts that fifty percent efficiency at the PV cell level yields a system power efficiency of at least forty percent. DARPA is developing the VHESC solar module technology for compact renewable energy to power both permanent and mobile bases, as well as reducing the considerable logistical burden of supplying energy (e.g., batteries and fuel) to the warfighter in the field. The program addresses all aspects of the high-efficiency photovoltaic problem including the development and analysis of high efficiency design concepts, the development of new and innovative components, materials, and processes necessary to achieve these concepts, and the development of scalable fabrication processes that are extensible to industrial manufacturing of an affordable product. Breakthrough results achieved in previous program phases including lateral architectures and non-imaging optical systems, high performance multi-band PV conversion, and ultra-low-cost PV materials fabrication processes have strongly narrowed the focus of the effort going forward. VHESC development is addressing: 1) system-integrated design optimization of the lateral optics subsystem and corresponding PV devices, and 2) development of high-volume cost-effective manufacturing engineering designs and processes for transition to affordable production.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- 34c1ed8e45b610f1171af38658829eed