Epitaxial lift-off processed GaAs thin-film solar cells integrated with low-cost plastic mini-compound parabolic concentrators

Abstract

We demonstrate the integration of GaAs thin-film solar cells with low-cost plastic mini-compound parabolic concentrators (CPC) by combing a non-destructive epitaxial lift-off (ND-ELO) technique and a vacuum-assisted thermoforming process. To simplify the thin film III-V active layer transfer and to eliminate the use of adhesives of the epi to the secondary plastic substrate, we employ cold-weld bonding. The integration of thin film GaAs photovoltaic cells with a low-cost plastic mini CPC that can track solar radiation increases energy harvesting by a factor of 2. The Combination of cost effective concentrators with previously demonstrated non-destructive wafer recycling utilizing epitaxial protection layers provides the potential for a dramatic cost reduction in the production of III-V semiconductor photovoltaic cells.