Performance of concentrator solar cells with passive cooling

This paper presents the results of an experimental study regarding the role of passive cooling on silicon-based concentrator solar cell performance. A design is presented for a gravity-dependent copper heat pipe using water or acetone as the working fluid for passively cooling concentrator solar cells operating up to 500x. Heating of the solar cell by illumination and temperature-dependent properties is taken into account. In addition, the performance at high concentrations has been improved using acetone as the working fluid in the gravity-dependent copper heat pipe for passive cooling. The results are promising for reasonable costs for such high efficiency cells working up to 500 suns.