SLMD121H04 Datasheet, PDF (4/6 Pages) IXYS Corporation – IXOLAR High Efficiency SolarMD

Background
Some basic information needs to be covered to better understand what to expect in terms of
the SolarMD’s performance with regards to solar cell type, lighting conditions in terms of
power density, and general industry standards as they relate to battery charging.
Solar Cell Types
Keep in mind these cost and performance tradeoffs when comparing various solar cell
materials:
Polycrystalline cells are commonly found in outdoor applications and have a spectral
sensitivity range of 500nm to 1100nm. They’re in the medium price range and typically offer
a 13% power conversion efficiency.
Monocrystalline cells, such as the IXYS SolarMD, have a spectral sensitivity range from 300
nm (near-ultraviolet) to 1100 nm (near-infrared), which includes visible light (400 to 700 nm).
Due to this wide spectral range, they can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications.
Monocrystalline or single-crystalline material is the most expensive but it does not contain
impurities, and as such the power conversion efficiency does not degrade over operating time.
The power conversion efficiency of commercially available monocrystalline cells ranges from
15 to 22%. The surface of these cells is a homogenous dark blue or dark grey.
Finally, amorphous cells, which work in the spectral range of 300nm to 600nm, are used
predominantly indoors in products such as solar powered calculators since they are not
sensitive to the upper light spectrum and cannot take advantage of natural sunlight. They
offer about 5% power conversion efficiency and are mostly used with ultra low power devices
like clocks and electronic calculators. Amorphous cells, like polycrystalline cells, suffer from
efficiency degradation.
IXYS reserves the right to change limits, test conditions and dimensions
IXYS KOREA LTD.
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Rev. Jan. 2011
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IXYS Corporation
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