Investigation of Concentrator Photovoltaic Modules with Cascade Solar Cells

The measuring capabilities of a solar radiation simulator and computer simulation have been used in the study of concentrator photovoltaic modules with three-junction solar cells based on the GaInP/GaInAs/Ge structure. The possibility of using two methods together is shown to explain the processes occurring during the conversion of radiation in the concentrator—the solar cell system—and to predict the module parameters when the external focusing conditions change. The contribution of lateral currents to the formation of the photocurrent of the solar cell in the module is established. The possible causes of energy losses due to internal resistance in solar cells are determined for the Fresnel lens–cascade solar cell system. The output characteristics of the module are calculated using the method of computer simulation for various spectra of incident radiation.