Temperature dynamics of multijunction concentrator solar cells up to ultra-high irradiance

ABSTRACT We report experimental results for the effect of irradiance (from 12 up to 8600 suns) on the temperature coefficients of the key performance parameters of multijunction concentrator solar cells, with a flash‐like, real‐sun optical system. Particular attention is paid to the time scales and magnitudes of junction heating, hence the degree to which the cell can be deemed isothermal. The implications for corresponding measurements from solar simulators with pulsed artificial light and for the performance evaluation of concentrator photovoltaics are also addressed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Experimental results for the effect of irradiance (up to 8600 suns) on the temperature coefficients of the key performance parameters of multijunction concentrator solar cells, generated with a flash‐like, real‐sun optical system, are reported. The implications of the time scales involved are also addressed, including their implications for corresponding measurements from solar simulators with pulsed artificial light and for the performance evaluation of concentrator photovoltaics.