Design of concentrator multijunction solar modules for UV-LED disinfection of water in off-the-grid areas

This work presents a simple method of designing a concentrator multijunction solar cell module (MJSC) as an energy source for UV-LED water disinfection. To energize the UV-LED flow-through modules tested for wild-type E. coli inactivation, third-generation, commercial 1.0-cm² InGaP/GaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells will require a lens that has more than 20 suns concentration factor, where the excess power generation can be utilized at low sunlight condition. To provide 12 V across the DC-DC converter that supplies constant current to the UV-LED module, at least 6 MJSCs used should be connected in series at concentrations between 1 and 50 suns.