EMCORE Announces Record Conversion Efficiency of Multi-Junction Concentrator Solar Cells
EMCORE Announces Record Conversion Efficiency of Multi-Junction Concentrator Solar Cells Designed for Terrestrial Applications for Volume Production Achievement of Record 39% Conversion Efficiency at 1000x Concentrated Illumination Affirms EMCORE’s Position As a Leader in Advanced Terrestrial Photovoltaic Technology
Albuquerque, NM, August 6, 2007
Source: Emcore Corp. press release http://www.emcore.com/news/release.php?id=162
EMCORE Corporation (NASDAQ: EMKR), announced today that it has attained a record 39% conversion efficiency under 1000x concentrated illumination on its multi-junction solar cell products currently in high volume production. These solar cells are for terrestrial Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) applications. EMCORE’s Concentrator Triple-Junction (CTJ) solar cells were designed and optimized for the most desirable operating conditions, i.e. 500-1000x concentration, for cost effective commercial CPV systems. The record conversion efficiency of 39% was measured on 1-cm2 production concentrator solar cells and at 1000x illumination. EMCORE is currently manufacturing ultra-high efficiency CTJ cells with a variety of form factors for multiple customers and has shipped several million concentrator solar cells to CPV system manufacturers worldwide.
As a part of the planned high-volume product roadmap, EMCORE’s continuing investment in technological innovation will enable the introduction of concentrator solar cell products with conversion efficiencies of greater than 40% under the high illumination operating conditions required for next generation, cost competitive CPV systems. Commenting on this advancement, David Danzilio, Vice President and General Manager of EMCORE’s Photovoltaics Division stated “We believe this technical and operational advancement represents a significant value creation for our customers. Solar cells with 1000x conversion efficiency of 39% will enable CPV system developers to deploy competitive solar power installations with the lowest cost per kw-hr. We are committed to continuing our investment in CPV solar cell technology and production capacity to support our customers ever increasing requirements for performance, cost, and capacity.”
About EMCORE: EMCORE Corporation offers a broad portfolio of compound semiconductor- based products for the broadband, fiber optic, satellite and solar power markets. EMCORE’s Fiber Optic segment offers optical components, subsystems and systems for high speed data and telecommunications networks, cable television (CATV) and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP). EMCORE’s Photovoltaic segment provides products for both satellite and terrestrial applications. For satellite applications, EMCORE offers high efficiency Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) solar cells, Covered Interconnect Cells (CICs) and panels. For terrestrial applications, EMCORE is adapting its high-efficiency GaAs solar cells for use in solar concentrator systems. For further information about EMCORE, http://www.emcore.com.