Evaluation of the Electrical Characteristics of Thin-Film Solar

Cells at

United Solar OvonicsTroy, Michigan

Carolyn HartzellSeptember 24, 2010

• Thin-Film solar cells• Adhesive mounting and

flexibility great for applicationsHouse in Germany

QinetQ Zephyr

Triple Junction Solar Cell

• Three different cells combined in series – layered

• Performance variables: Pmax, Isc, Voc, FF, Rs, Efficiency

Efficiency: • Can calculate from power output and area• More informatively, can calculate each individual cell, and combine

Spire Project:

• Solar simulator– Problem: spectrum

mismatch– Solution: blue filter– Other tasks:

optimize, determine calibration procedure

Outdoor Modules Project:

Outdoor Modules Data Analysis:

Acknowledgments

• Jeff Yang, United Solar• Sigurd Wagner, Princeton University• Kevin Beernink, United Solar• Chris Worrel, United Solar

Image Sources:http://www.uni-solar.com/http://www.qinetiq.com/