High efficiency line-focus photovoltaic receivers using optical secondaries for radiation resistance

Abstract

Multijunction GaAs/GaSb solar cells have now been demonstrated in space in a point-focus concentrator module on the PASP Plus flight experiment. The test results on this concentrator module were so impressive that there is now considerable interest in commercializing space concentrator power systems. However, because arched line-focus Fresnel lenses are easier to make than point-focus domed Fresnel lenses and because it is easier to track the Sun using line-focus concentrator modules, JX Crystals has been developing high efficiency line-focus photovoltaic receivers incorporating optical secondaries for radiation resistance. This work is being performed under a NASA SBIR contract with ENTECH as a subcontractor.