Mechanism of the photovoltaic effect in 2-4 compounds Progress report, 1 Apr. - 30 Jun. 1969
Photovoltaic effect in group 2-6 compounds
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Photovoltaic effect in group 2-6 compounds
Photovoltaic solar cell power technology application to space use and exploration
Photovoltaic solar cell power technology application to space use and exploration
Photovoltaic cells electrical characteristics, discussing Cd sulfide, single crystal Si and dendritic type Si cells for spacecraft power
Bias light and heat treatment effects on spectral response of cadmium sulfide thin film photovoltaic cells
Temperature effects on photocapacitance properties of photovoltaic cells
Research to improve conversion efficiency of cadmium sulfide photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaic characteristics of p-n and n-p Si cells and p-n lithium-doped cells irradiated with high energy electrons
Trapped charging and photovoltaic performance of Cu2S-CdS cell including heat treatment effects
Heat treatment and photovoltaic properties of copper disulfide-cadmium sulfide heterojunctions, measuring I-V characteristics, capacitance and spectral response
Presenting results of research effort to improve quality of cadmium sulfide photovoltaic cells
Method of producing output voltage from photovoltaic cell using poly-N-vinyl carbazole complexed with iodine
Performance of mercury cadmium telluride photovoltaic infrared mixer for ATS 6 carbon dioxide laser communication system
Subthreshold electron irradiation effects on surface and bulk electrical properties of Li-doped and Li-free silicon photovoltaic cells
The various factors involved in the development of solar photovoltaic power systems for terrestrial application are discussed. The discussion covers the tradeoffs, compromises, and optimization studies which must be performed in order to develop a viable terrestrial solar array system. It is concluded that the technology now exists for the fabrication of terrestrial solar arrays but that the economics are prohibitive. Various approaches to cost reduction are presented, and the general requirements for materials and processes to be used are delineated.
Three major options for wide-scale generation of photovoltaic energy for terrestrial use are considered: (1) rooftop array, (2) solar farm, and (3) satellite station. The rooftop array would use solar cell arrays on the roofs of residential or commercial buildings; the solar farm would consist of large ground-based arrays, probably in arid areas with high insolation; and the satellite station would consist of an orbiting solar array, many square kilometers in area. The technology advancement requirements necessary for each option are discussed, including cost reduction of solar cells and arrays, weight reduction, resistance to environmental factors, reliability, and fabrication capability, including the availability of raw materials. The majority of the technology advancement requirements are applicable to all three options, making possible a flexible basic approach regardless of the options that may eventually be chosen. No conclusions are drawn as to which option is most advantageous, since the feasibility of each option depends on the success achieved in the technology advancement requirements specified.
The optical and electronic properties of single crystal Cu2S-CdS photovoltaic cells were investigated. In these cells trapped charge near the interface which is manifested by a persistent increase in junction capacitance (the photocapacitance) plays a significant role in determining the carrier transport properties. It was found that the severe degradation in short-circuit current observed in heat-treated cells can be separated into two components: (1) a relatively small thermal component occurring on heat-treatment in the dark, and (2) a much larger degradation caused by exposure to light at room temperature. By a short additional heat-treatment above approximately 100 C the cell can be completely restored to its condition before the optically caused degradation with no effect on the depletion layer width.
Technological aspects of solar energy conversion by photovoltaic cells are considered. The advantage of the single crystal silicon solar cell approach is developed through comparisons with polycrystalline silicon, cadmium sulfide/copper sulfide thin film cells, and other materials and devices.