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News Release from: Emcore Corp | Subject: IMM cells
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 18 May 2007
Cells promise more power for space
systems
New class of advanced multijunction solar cells optimised for space applications claims record solar conversion efficiency.
Emcore Corp's PhotoVoltaics Division has attained a record solar conversion efficiency of 31% for an entirely new class of advanced multijunction solar cells optimised for space applications The company has also reached 37% peak conversion efficiency on its terrestrial concentrating solar cell products currently in volume production
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 14 Feb 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Emcore's production terrestrial concentrator cell has also reached a new level of performance, attaining 37% peak conversion efficiency under concentrated illumination conditions.
This advance is an evolution of Emcore's proven concentrator triple junction (CTJ) production technology with which several million CTJ solar cells have been produced and shipped to concentrator photovoltaic system manufacturers worldwide.
Emcore's continuing investment in technology innovation will enable the introduction of concentrator solar cell products with conversion efficiency of 40% and as a part of planned high-volume product roadmap.
David Danzilio, Vice President and General Manager of Emcore's PhotoVoltaics Division stated: "We are very pleased that Emcore PhotoVoltaics has again shown its technological leadership in the field of multijunction solar cells".
"The successful demonstration of this new class IMM cell represents the most significant improvement in terms of watts per kilogram and dollars per watt in the past decade, which will enable never before envisioned space power applications".
"Our industry leading scientists and engineers continue to refine and optimise our terrestrial concentrator products and production capabilities to meet our customers' needs and enable CPV systems to achieve the lowest cost of power".
Emcore is the world's largest manufacturer of highly efficient and radiation hard solar cells for space power applications.
With a beginning-of-life (BOL) conversion efficiency of 28.5% and the option for a patented, onboard monolithic bypass diode, Emcore's industry leading, high reliability multijunction solar power products are the preferred solution for demanding space power applications.
This advanced solar cell technology has also been adapted for use in terrestrial concentrator applications and have attained conversion efficiencies of 37%.
To date, Emcore has delivered more than 1 million multijunction solar cells for space applications and over 3 million CTJ cells for terrestrial CPV applications.
Emcore's terrestrial products will make possible cost competitive concentrating PhotoVoltaic systems for use in utility scale solar power deployments.
"Emcore PhotoVoltaics Division continues to drive technology advancement and operation excellence".
"Achievement of 31% conversion efficiency will enable new space power applications in addition to the fact that the IMM cells offer the most sought-after performance characteristics".
"Emcore is committed to continuing performance improvement of CTJ cells as the most effective means to improve the cost competitiveness of our product portfolio", added Hong Q Hou, President and COO of Emcore.
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