30 November 2012

Azur Space reports CPV cell efficiency of 43.3%

Azur Space Solar Power GmbH of Heilbronn, Germany says that it has achieved solar energy conversion efficiency of 43.3% with its new multi-junction cell using 500-fold concentration. This is claimed to be the highest efficiency ever reported for a solar cell grown upright using MOVPE (metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy). In October, Solar Junction of San Jose, CA, USA raised its own efficiency record for a commercial-ready production solar cell from 43.5% at 418 suns to 44% at 947 suns, but those cells use MBE (molecular beam epitaxy) growth.

Azur Space develops, produces and supplies bare solar cells for space and terrestrial CPV customers. The firm has been active in the space solar cell market for over 40 years and has supplied solar cells for more than 400 satellites to date. Its range of products covers several types of silicon and III-V-on-germanium solar cells. Using materials and structures originally developed to supply power to telecom and Earth-observation satellites designed for scientific research, reconnaissance or navigation, Azur Space is now demonstrating the performance of its solar cells for terrestrial applications.

The firm says that this new generation of solar cells is currently being brought to market. By using MOVPE technology (proven in mass production on germanium-based substrates) on 100mm and 150mm, Azur Space reckons that it can offer the highest-performing multi-junction cells on the best price-performance basis available in the market.  

Tags: Azur Space CPV

Visit: www.azurspace.com