A Corner-Cube-Cell Solar Array for Improved Capture of Optical Power and Increased Generation of Electrical Power

Abstract

A corner-cube-cell (CC-cell) array of solar cells is introduced in this article for use with a multichannel form of maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The CC-cell effectively captures internal reflections, enabling the use of nontextured silicon surfaces with prolonged electron-hole lifetimes and greater optoelectronic conversion efficiencies, in comparison to microtextured surfaces. The theoretical and experimental results show marked improvements for the CC-cell array, over the conventional flat-cell array, as seen by an increased generated electrical power density of 50.9% at midday and an increased generated electrical energy density of 34.0% over the full day. The gains result from the CC-cell's geometry and its compatibility with a multichannel form of MPPT. Ultimately, the proposed technology shows great promise for realizing low-cost and high-performance implementations of silicon solar arrays.