Current-matched, high-efficiency, multi-junction monolithic solar cells

Patent Application · Mon Feb 11 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:6967361

Olson, J M; Kurtz, S R

In this invention, the efficiency of a two-junction (cascade) tandem photovoltaic device is improved by adjusting (decreasing) the top cell thickness to achieve current matching. An example of the invention was fabricated out of Ga{sub 0.52}In{sub 0.48}P and GaAs. Additional lattice-matched systems to which the invention pertains include Al{sub x}Ga{sub l-x}/GaAs (x=0.3 {minus} 0.4), GaAs/Ge and Ga{sub y}In{sub 1-y}P/Ga{sub y+0.5}In{sub 0.5-{sub Y}} As (O<5).

• Research Organization: Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): PATENTS-US-A7653543
• Application Number: ON: DE93001997; PPN: US 7-653543
• OSTI ID: 6967361
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR CELLS
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
GALLIUM PHOSPHIDE SOLAR CELLS
INDIUM PHOSPHIDE SOLAR CELLS
INVENTIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
THICKNESS
DIMENSIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
MATERIALS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion