Packaging III–V tandem solar cells for practical terrestrial applications achievable to 27% of module efficiency by conventional machine assemble technology

A new concentrator receiver containing a 7 mm×7 mm 3J concentrator solar cell with a 37.4% peak efficiency was developed. The receiver design includes a homogenizer, heat-handling (epoxy lamination) technologies and a low-resistance soldered connection and can be applied to various concentrator optics, including dish systems. The outdoor efficiency with a combination of a plastic Fresnel lens, made by low-cost injection molding, reached 27% on a hot summer day under 35.0 °C ambient temperature without additional cooling. With this newly developed receiver, mechanical engineers will be able to design their own concentrator module suitable for their environment, using their mechanical knowledge and local industrial resources. A 400X and 7056 cm2 concentrator module was fabricated with 36 concentrator receivers connected in series and the same number of newly developed dome-shaped, non-imaging Fresnel lenses. The power rating was 200 Wp. The peak outdoor efficiency on a clear sky day was 26.8±1.5%. The integrated efficiency over the course of the day was 25.3±1.4%. This is the highest module efficiency that has been achieved using a practical module size and electrical rating.