Article
Energy & Fuels
Ian Marius Peters, Carlos David Rodriguez Gallegos, Larry Lueer, Jens A. Hauch, Christoph J. Brabec
Summary: Multijunction solar cells have theoretical conversion efficiencies exceeding 60%, but technical and economic constraints limit the maximum number of junctions and corresponding efficiencies. Spectral variations and optical losses restrict the number of junctions and reduce achievable efficiencies. Sequential cell illumination architecture is more resilient to these losses. Economic considerations suggest that five junctions or less are economically ideal for most applications.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Janne Puustinen, Joonas Hilska, Arto Aho, Esperanza Luna, Antti Fihlman, Mircea Guina
Summary: The development of low bandgap GaAsNBi solar cells grown using MBE is reported, and the As/Ga flux ratio is found to play an important role in controlling the solar cell performance.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sai Meghasena Chavali, John Roller, Mario Dagenais, Behrang H. Hamadani
Summary: This study measured the external luminescence quantum yields of subcells within multijunction solar cells and utilized the measurements to optimize the electrical models of the cells. The findings showed that electroluminescence measurements can aid in parameter selection and suggested strategies for improving solar cell performance.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ryan M. France, John F. Geisz, Tao Song, Waldo Olavarria, Michelle Young, Alan Kibbler, Myles A. Steiner
Summary: The design of multijunction solar cells takes into account both the theoretical optimal bandgap combination and the realistic limitations of materials. By modifying the bandgap of the middle cell using thick GaInAs/GaAsP strain-balanced quantum well solar cells, a high-efficiency triple-junction inverted metamorphic multijunction device has been achieved.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hidenori Mizuno, Kikuo Makita, Hitoshi Sai, Toshimitsu Mochizuki, Takuya Matsui, Hidetaka Takato, Ralph Muller, David Lackner, Frank Dimroth, Takeyoshi Sugaya
Summary: This paper describes a method for fabricating two-terminal tandem solar cells using Si heterojunction bottom cells and GaAs-relevant III-V top cells by smart stack. By introducing hydrogenated nanocrystalline Si layers, the electrical contacts and passivation quality of the cells were improved, resulting in a certified efficiency of 27.4%.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jonathan Warby, Fengshuo Zu, Stefan Zeiske, Emilio Gutierrez-Partida, Lennart Frohloff, Simon Kahmann, Kyle Frohna, Edoardo Mosconi, Eros Radicchi, Felix Lang, Sahil Shah, Francisco Pena-Camargo, Hannes Hempel, Thomas Unold, Norbert Koch, Ardalan Armin, Filippo De Angelis, Samuel D. Stranks, Dieter Neher, Martin Stolterfoht
Summary: Perovskite semiconductors are an attractive option in photovoltaic technology due to their exceptional properties. However, the nonradiative recombination at the perovskite/organic electron transport layer junctions limits the performance of single- and multijunction cells. This study reveals that the most significant contribution to the recombination loss occurs within the first monolayer of C-60 at the perovskite/C-60 interface. By reducing the surface coverage of C-60, the radiative efficiency of the bare perovskite layer can be maintained. These findings pave the way for improving the performance of perovskite solar cells.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cheng He, Ami C. Yang-Neyerlin, Bryan Pivovar
Summary: The role of membranes in determining water balance in AEMFCs is crucial but has been limitedly studied. This research presents a novel method for probing limiting current based on water flux, revealing water diffusion as a critical mechanism for achieving high current density performance and durability.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qiming Zhang, Baoguo Zhang, Hongliang Guo, Yue Tang, Jian Song, Qiang Sun
Summary: This study investigates the performance of low-intensity low-temperature (LILT) GaInP/GaInAs/Ge triple junction (TJ) solar cells grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). It is found that metamorphic (MM) epitaxy achieved by compositionally graded buffer (CGB) layer helps to reduce strain and improve the performance of solar cells.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Daniel L. Lepkowski, Tyler J. Grassman, Jacob T. Boyer, Daniel J. Chmielewski, Chuqi Yi, Mattias K. Juhl, Anastasia H. Soeriyadi, Ned Western, Hamid Mehrvarz, Udo Romer, Anita Ho-Baillie, Christopher Kerestes, Daniel Derkacs, Steven G. Whipple, Alex P. Stavrides, Stephen P. Bremner, Steven A. Ringel
Summary: The study fabricated a GaAsP/Si tandem solar cell with a certified efficiency of 23.4% using MOCVD growth on an ex-situ produced Si sub cell. The key improvement in efficiency was attributed to advancements in top cell design to maximize short wavelength response, along with identification of key loss mechanisms through in-depth analysis of the tandem cell. Further efficiency gains are expected through addressing issues such as voltage dependent collection efficiency and reducing dislocation density in the top cell and implementing rear surface texture and dielectric passivation in the Si subcell.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yubin Park, Bo Zhao, Shanhui Fan
Summary: The Landsberg limit represents the ultimate efficiency limit of solar energy harvesting, which can be reached by using nonreciprocal elements. A nonreciprocal multijunction solar cell has been introduced, showing that it can reach the Landsberg limit with an infinite number of layers and outperform a standard reciprocal cell with a finite number of layers. This work simplifies the device configuration needed to reach the ultimate limit of solar energy conversion and suggests a way to improve solar energy harvesting using nonreciprocity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peng Zhai, Lixia Ren, Yanrui Zhang, Zhuo Xu, Yin Wu, Kui Zhao, Lu Zhang, Shengzhong (Frank) Liu
Summary: In this study, halide-free aqueous nanofluids are used to regulate the formation kinetics of perovskite and improve its photovoltaic performance. The microstructure of PbI2 and anion configurations are found to play a key role in the formation kinetics. PbCO3 nanofluids with an inert carbonate anion are selected to promote the reaction rate and inhibit the formation of vacancy defects, resulting in a highly stable perovskite device with an average PCE of 23.64% and a stabilized PCE of 23.95% under continuous light illumination.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jarno Reuna, Arttu Hietalahti, Arto Aho, Riku Isoaho, Timo Aho, Marianna Vuorinen, Antti Tukiainen, Elina Anttola, Mircea Guina
Summary: The optical performance of a multilayer antireflective coating incorporating lithography-free nanostructured alumina is assessed. The study shows that the nanostructured coating outperforms conventional double-layer coating in various solar cells, improving current density and efficiency.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Henning Schulte-Huxel, Robert Witteck, Susanne Blankemeyer, Marc Koentges
Summary: Three-terminal (3T) tandem solar cells require an adapted module integration scheme to explore their full efficiency potential. The connection scheme affects the operation of the subcells and resulting current path. Reverse connection can reduce interconnect losses.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Norman Jost, Steve Askins, Richard Dixon, Mathieu Ackermann, Cesar Dominguez, Ignacio Anton
Summary: Micro-concentrator photovoltaics technology reduces the size of components, achieving high efficiencies and cost reductions. The interconnection of multiple solar cells is achieved through direct printing onto front contact pads. This technology has the potential for large-scale implementation.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wei Long, Shi Yin, Fuguo Peng, Miao Yang, Liang Fang, Xiaoning Ru, Minghao Qu, Hongfeng Lin, Xixiang Xu
Summary: A numerical model based on Richter's theory has been developed to simulate the performance of SHJ solar cells, revealing a theoretical limiting efficiency of 28.5% with updated contact resistivities. The potential of solar cells with hybrid structures is demonstrated with a feasible 28.9% limiting efficiency achievable by combining p-type contact from SHJ and n-type contact from TOPCon.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
