ALBUQUERQUE, May 21 (UPI) -- A solar-cell company in New Mexico has announced it achieved record conversion efficiency for a new solar-cell project.
The PhotoVoltaics Division of Emcore Corp. in Albuquerque achieved record conversion efficiency of 31 percent for a new class of multijunction solar cells optimized for space applications (compared with 28.5 percent for its cells now in production). Emcore has also achieved 37 percent peak conversion efficiency for its current volume-production terrestrial concentrating solar cell products, Semiconductor-Today reported.
The new Inverted Metamorphic solar cell consists of a novel combination of compound semiconductors that enables a superior response to the solar spectrum compared to conventional multijunction solar cells, Emcore says. Due to its new design, the IMM cell is about one-fifteenth the thickness of the conventional multijunction solar cell.
"Achievement of 31 percent conversion efficiency will enable new space power applications in addition to the fact that the IMM cells offer the most sought-after performance characteristics," said Emcore President and Chief Operating Officer Hong Q. Hou.
Developed in conjunction with the Vehicle Systems Directorate of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, the IMM cell will enable a new class of extremely lightweight, high-efficiency and flexible solar arrays to power the next generation of spacecraft and satellites, as well as forming a platform for future generations of terrestrial concentrator products.
