Evaluation of mismatch and non‐uniform illumination losses in monolithically series‐connected GaAs photovoltaic converters

Abstract

AbstractThis work evaluates the influence of mismatch illumination on the performance of GaAs monolithically series‐connected photovoltaic converters under laser illumination. A theoretical model which takes into account nonuniform illumination, light spillage and mismatch losses is presented. The influence of laser spot size on the converter efficiency is also addressed.The laser spot size must be chosen in order to make a trade‐off between mismatch and nonuniform illumination losses, which predominate in a laser spot diameter smaller than the diameter of the device, and spillage losses, which predominate in a laser spot diameter larger than that of the device. For single photovoltaic converters, it is advisable to reduce the laser spot diameter to values to less than that of the converter. For multiple photovoltaic converters, especially if there is a considerable misalignment between the light source and the device, a spot diameter slightly larger than that of the device is recommended. Otherwise, mismatch losses could severely limit MPC performance. When the laser beam diameter equals the device diameter, and for a 5% misalignment, efficiencies of 55.0, 53.6 and 50.1% are envisaged, for two‐, three‐ and six‐sector multiple photovoltaic converters, respectively. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.