EMCORE Announces Efficiency Record for Its Dual-Junction Solar Cell
EMCORE Corp. (Somerset, NJ) recently announced the manufacture and shipping of what it claims is the world's highest efficiency dual-junction solar cell for satellite applications. Based on customary satellite industry metrics, EMCORE achieved the efficiency ranking of 25.3 percent, which is the highest in the world for large-area (27.2cm square) dual-junction flight solar cells that are ready to ship.
The dual-junction InGaP/GaAs compound semiconductor solar cell product is grown on a germanium (Ge) substrate, and has a minimum average efficiency of 23 percent at air mass zero at 28 degrees C.
"This represents a remarkable achievement by our staff at the EMCORE PhotoVoltaics Division in Albuquerque, which has been in operation for only 14 months," said Reuben Richards, president and CEO of EMCORE. "Our cells reach far beyond the capability of silicon-based solar cells, which have a theoretical maximum efficiency of approximately 19 percent, and degrade quite rapidly during orbit. The use of EMCORE's compound semiconductor cells equates to fewer devices being needed, resulting in smaller, lighter satellites with longer lifetimes, while providing more power. This initial efficiency record has been achieved through critical technology breakthroughs in tandem with state-of-the-art automated processing."
