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Title: Progress towards a 30% efficient GaInP/Si tandem solar cells

Abstract

The performance of dual-junction solar cells with a Si bottom cell has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Simulations show that adding a top junction with an energy bandgap of 1.6 -1.9 eV to a standard silicon solar cell enables efficiencies over 38%. Currently, top junctions of GaInP (1.8 eV) are the most promising as they can achieve 1-sun efficiencies of 20.8% [1]. We fabricated mechanically stacked, four terminal GaInP/Si tandem solar cells using a transparent adhesive between the subcells. These tandem devices achieved an efficiency of 27% under AM1.5 g spectral conditions. Furthermore, higher efficiencies can be achieved by using an improved Si-bottom cell and by optimizing the dual-junction device for long-wavelength light and luminescent coupling between the two junctions.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
OSTI Identifier:
1225305
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5J00-64775
Journal ID: ISSN 1876-6102
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC36-08GO28308
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Energy Procedia (Online)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Energy Procedia (Online); Journal Volume: 77; Related Information: Energy Procedia; Journal ID: ISSN 1876-6102
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; III-V on Si; tandem solar cells

Citation Formats

Essig, Stephanie, Ward, Scott, Steiner, Myles A., Friedman, Daniel J., Geisz, John F., Stradins, Paul, and Young, David L. Progress towards a 30% efficient GaInP/Si tandem solar cells. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.066.
Essig, Stephanie, Ward, Scott, Steiner, Myles A., Friedman, Daniel J., Geisz, John F., Stradins, Paul, & Young, David L. Progress towards a 30% efficient GaInP/Si tandem solar cells. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.066
Essig, Stephanie, Ward, Scott, Steiner, Myles A., Friedman, Daniel J., Geisz, John F., Stradins, Paul, and Young, David L. Fri . "Progress towards a 30% efficient GaInP/Si tandem solar cells". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.066. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1225305.
@article{osti_1225305,
title = {Progress towards a 30% efficient GaInP/Si tandem solar cells},
author = {Essig, Stephanie and Ward, Scott and Steiner, Myles A. and Friedman, Daniel J. and Geisz, John F. and Stradins, Paul and Young, David L.},
abstractNote = {The performance of dual-junction solar cells with a Si bottom cell has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Simulations show that adding a top junction with an energy bandgap of 1.6 -1.9 eV to a standard silicon solar cell enables efficiencies over 38%. Currently, top junctions of GaInP (1.8 eV) are the most promising as they can achieve 1-sun efficiencies of 20.8% [1]. We fabricated mechanically stacked, four terminal GaInP/Si tandem solar cells using a transparent adhesive between the subcells. These tandem devices achieved an efficiency of 27% under AM1.5 g spectral conditions. Furthermore, higher efficiencies can be achieved by using an improved Si-bottom cell and by optimizing the dual-junction device for long-wavelength light and luminescent coupling between the two junctions.},
doi = {10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.066},
journal = {Energy Procedia (Online)},
number = ,
volume = 77,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Aug 28 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Fri Aug 28 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}

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Works referencing / citing this record:

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Analytical Modeling of Dual-Junction Tandem Solar Cells Based on an InGaP/GaAs Heterojunction Stacked on a Ge Substrate
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