New Concepts for High-Intensity PV Modules for Use with Dish Concentrator Systems

In this paper we report on our efforts to fabricate monolithically interconnected modules (MIMS) from GaAs device structures. The small size of the component cells comprising the MIM allows for operation at very high flux densities. This relaxes the requirement for a small spot-size to be generated by the optics. The devices are grown on semi-insulating substrates, allowing the incorporation ofan extremely efficient back surface reflector (BSR). This BSR is an effective tool for thermal management of the array. The possibility of using this device configuration in conjunction with the large dish concentrators developed by the solar thermal community is examined. The advantages of using multijunction devices for this application is also discussed.