Journal article
Fluorescent fibers coupled to monolithic photovoltaic arrays for sunlight conversion
MRS proceedings, v 736, pp 239-244
2002
Abstract
Thin fluorescent organic fibers are used to collect short wavelength sunlight, convert it to longer wavelengths and illuminate photovoltaic (PV) arrays. Using this approach, miniature and lightweight PV arrays have been fabricated. The incoming light is collected by many fibers and mixed before reaching the PV array. Thus homogenous illumination is provided even with partially shadowed fibers, which can cover a large area and can be arranged in a form of a fabric. The PV array itself can be located in any (even dark) place. In this work we developed and tested high-performance miniature 21 mm2 AlGaAs/GaAs monolithic arrays consisting of 6 cells connected in series. Output electric power density of 75 mW/cm2 and an open-circuit voltage about 6 V was measured outdoors for the arrays integrated with a bundle of 0.25 – 1.00 mm thick polystyrene fibers. The influence of PV array output parameters on the fluorescent fiber diameter, length, as well as on bandgap and design of solar cells is discussed.
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1 citations in Scopus
Details
- Title
- Fluorescent fibers coupled to monolithic photovoltaic arrays for sunlight conversion
- Creators
- Oleg V. Sulima - AstroPower Inc., Newark, USAJeffrey A. Cox - AstroPower Inc., Solar Park, Newark, DE 19716, U.S.APaul E. Sims - AstroPower Inc., Solar Park, Newark, DE 19716, U.S.AMichael G. Mauk - AstroPower Inc., Solar Park, Newark, DE 19716, U.S.A
- Contributors
- M.S. Shur (Editor)D. Urban (Editor)P. Wilson (Editor)
- Publication Details
- MRS proceedings, v 736, pp 239-244
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Number of pages
- 6
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Engineering Leadership and Society/Engineering Technology
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-0038543280
- Other Identifier
- 991020623757904721