Spectral classification of worldwide locations using SMR indexes

Abstract

Abstract. Spectral variation of solar irradiance can be analyzed by the means of component cells, being useful for multi junction (MJ) and concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) characterization by the use of component cells derived spectral indexes, namely, spectral matching ratios (SMRs). When enough spectral data is available, a location can be also characterized and a MJ solar cell can be locally tuned. The AERONET network of ground-based sun photometers is employed to obtain the atmosphere parameters for 34 sites worldwide. To conclude, the SMR indexes are obtained for every location, and a comparative analysis is completed for four architectures of MJ solar cells technologies (two lattice match and two metamorphic). Based on this information, some cluster of locations that share similar spectral features arise.

Super-Multi-Junction Solar Cell, Device Configuration with the Potential of More Than 50 % of the Annual Energy Conversion Efficiency (Non-Concentration)

“…The spectrum mismatching loss is an inherent loss for all type of the multi-junction or multi-junction solar cells, nevertheless of CPV or normal flat-plate application, and except for more than 3 terminal configurations that the output of the sub-cells is individually connected to the load. Note that in every type of installation, a variation of the solar spectrum by the sun height and fluctuation of the scattering and absorption of the air by seasonal effect in inevitable, but its influence can be minimized by the improvement of the solar cell design [38][39][40][41][42][43].…”

Super-Multi-Junction Solar Cell, Device Configuration with the Potential of More Than 50 % of the Annual Energy Conversion Efficiency (Non-Concentration)

“…The spectrum mismatching loss is an inherent loss for all types of the multi-junction or multi-junction solar cells, nevertheless of CPV or normal flat-plate application, and except for more than 3 terminal configurations that the output of the sub-cells is individually connected to the load. Note that in every type of installation, a variation of the solar spectrum by the sun height and fluctuation of the scattering and absorption of the air by seasonal effect in inevitable, but its influence can be minimized by the improvement of the solar cell design [38][39][40][41][42][43].The research on the robustness to the spectrum change has been made in these 20 years, including a computer model named Syracuse by Imperial Courage of London [44][45][46]. For CPV applications, it was understood that the chromatic aberration of the concentrator optics enhanced the spectrum mismatching loss [44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53].…”

“…The spectrum mismatching loss is an inherent loss for all types of the multi-junction or multi-junction solar cells, nevertheless of CPV or normal flat-plate application, and except for more than 3 terminal configurations that the output of the sub-cells is individually connected to the load. Note that in every type of installation, a variation of the solar spectrum by the sun height and fluctuation of the scattering and absorption of the air by seasonal effect in inevitable, but its influence can be minimized by the improvement of the solar cell design [38][39][40][41][42][43].…”

Contributions to characterization, modeling and design of concentrator photovoltaic systems

“…The higher the ̅̅̅̅̅ , the stronger the absorption of the DNI in the infrared region, more important in the bottom subcell region than in the middle one, leading to high values. Consequently, the proximity of big masses of water (as in the case of islands and coastal sites) increases the level of ̅̅̅̅̅̅ ; some example cases are Lanai (19) in Hawaii and Jabiru (14) and Lake…”

“…Nevertheless part of the incident irradiance is not transmitted by the lens (see Figure 5.17), accounted by the optical efficiency (ηopt) and another part is converted by the cell in electricity (ηcell). Consequently heat power is defined as: 19) where ηDC = ηopt · ηcell is the DC efficiency of the CPV module and DNI is the incoming irradiance. …”