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Title: Single-junction solar cells with the optimum band gap for terrestrial concentrator applications

Abstract

A single-junction solar cell is described having the ideal band gap for terrestrial concentrator applications. Computer modeling studies of single-junction solar cells have shown that the presence of absorption bands in the direct spectrum has the effect of ''pinning'' the optimum band gap for a wide range of operating conditions at a value of 1.14[+-]0.02 eV. Efficiencies exceeding 30% may be possible at high concentration ratios for devices with the ideal band gap. 7 figures.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
6632039
Patent Number(s):
5376185
Application Number:
PPN: US 8-061635
Assignee:
Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC02-83CH10093
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 12 May 1993
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; SOLAR CELLS; DESIGN; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; ENERGY EFFICIENCY; GRADED BAND GAPS; SOLAR CONCENTRATORS; DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS; EFFICIENCY; EQUIPMENT; PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS; PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS; SIMULATION; SOLAR EQUIPMENT; 140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion

Citation Formats

Wanlass, M W. Single-junction solar cells with the optimum band gap for terrestrial concentrator applications. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Wanlass, M W. Single-junction solar cells with the optimum band gap for terrestrial concentrator applications. United States.
Wanlass, M W. Tue . "Single-junction solar cells with the optimum band gap for terrestrial concentrator applications". United States.
@article{osti_6632039,
title = {Single-junction solar cells with the optimum band gap for terrestrial concentrator applications},
author = {Wanlass, M W},
abstractNote = {A single-junction solar cell is described having the ideal band gap for terrestrial concentrator applications. Computer modeling studies of single-junction solar cells have shown that the presence of absorption bands in the direct spectrum has the effect of ''pinning'' the optimum band gap for a wide range of operating conditions at a value of 1.14[+-]0.02 eV. Efficiencies exceeding 30% may be possible at high concentration ratios for devices with the ideal band gap. 7 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1994},
month = {12}
}

Patent:
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