Optical, thermal, and electrical performance of low-CR solar arraysThis paper describes the analysis and testing of a photovoltaic low-CR concentrator shaped like a truncated pyramid with an aperture of 0.5 m on a side and a geometric concentration ratio of six. The truncated base plane is covered by either silicon (Si) or gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells. Ray-trace analysis of the concentrator predicts a peak optical efficiency of 0.77, which falls off only gradually with pointing error. A coupled thermal-electrical analysis of the system shows that the moderately nonuniform illumination produced by the concentrator does not result in significant mismatch losses, provided the solar cells are connected in parallel groups. The results of ground tests involving a full-scale prototype concentrator conform well with theoretical predictions.
Document ID
19840047361
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
French, E. P. (Rockwell International Corp. Seal Beach, CA, United States)
Mills, M. W. (Rockwell International Corp. Seal Beach, CA, United States)
Backovsky, Z. (Rockwell International Corp. Seal Beach, CA, United States)