Very high efficiency solar cell modules

The Very High Efficiency Solar Cell (VHESC) program is developing integrated optical system–PV modules for portable applications that operate at greater than 50% efficiency. We are integrating the optical design with the solar cell design, and have entered previously unoccupied design space. Our approach is driven by proven quantitative models for the solar cell design, the optical design, and the integration of these designs. Optical systems efficiency with an optical efficiency of 93% and solar cell device results under ideal dichroic splitting optics summing to 42·7 ± 2·5% are described. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. High efficiency modules are being developed based on the co‐design of the optics, interconnects and solar cells. The modules are based on a lateral optical concentrating system, which splits the incident solar spectrum into several bands, and allows different optical and photovoltaic elements in each band. An optical efficiency of 93% and solar cell device results summing to 42.7% are described.