Solar-Cell System With High Conversion Efficiency

A concept for obtaining high energy-conversion efficiency in a solar photovoltaic system involves (1) concentration and spectral dispersion of sunlight and (2) use of several types of solar photovoltaic cells, each placed at its optimum location in the spectrum. The spectral dispersion and concentration of sunlight can be effected by use of mirrors or lenses combined with prisms. The photovoltaic cells can be of the conventional single-junction type, which cost less than do the more advanced multijunction cells.