Single cell converter system (SCCS)

Abstract

Among the different concepts for solar cell module constructions, a new way of cell and module production has been proposed. An entire module-sized thin-film layer is used as one cell. This large cell delivers a voltage range of about 0.5-1.5 V, depending on the type of cell. To get an appropriate voltage level of 12 V DC or 230 V AC, it must be transformed by specially designed power converters. Investigations on a modular power converter have already been started at the power electronics laboratory of ETH Zurich. These investigations proved the feasibility of such a power converter. Because of the large area of this single cell, it produces a high current of about 100 A, depending on its efficiency and the module area. Alucobond, a compound of aluminium-polyethylene-aluminium, fullfils the needs for high current contacts perfectly, because the two aluminium plates can be used for this purpose.