Performance Characteristics of Solar Cells and Generators

Research group/ institution ref. cell type efficiency % active area 2 cm  

Photon Power, Univ. of Montpellier 7117 sprayed CdS, dipped Cu S 5-6 1 

In table IV the efficiencies of cells as reported by different groups are listed and the sizes of the active cell area are indicated. The highest efficiency experimentally achieved is 9.15 % with a 0.8 cm cell, which has been obtained by the research group at the University of Delaware, The efficiencies of sprayed cells are somewhat lower (5-6 %). Best results on large area devices are 7,3 % for encapsulated 42 cm cell. The IV-characteristic of such a cell is shown in figure 30. 

An integrated generator with an efficiency of 4,8 % consists of 8 cells (42 cm active area each) in series connection. The IV-characteristic of this integrated generator is shown in figure 31. 

These values of efficiencies have to be seen in relation with cells and modules made from single or polycrystalline Si, 

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