Energy production advantage of independent subcell connection for multijunction photovoltaics

Warmann, Emily C.; Atwater, Harry A.

doi:10.1002/ese3.125

Title: Energy production advantage of independent subcell connection for multijunction photovoltaics

Journal Article · Thu Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Energy Science & Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.125· OSTI ID:1260849

Warmann, Emily C. ^[1]; Atwater, Harry A. ^[2]

California Institute of Technology 1200 E California Blvd Pasadena California 91125‐0002
Kavli Nanosciences Institute California Institute of Technology Pasadena California

Abstract Increasing the number of subcells in a multijunction or “spectrum splitting” photovoltaic improves efficiency under the standard AM 1.5D design spectrum, but it can lower efficiency under spectra that differ from the standard if the subcells are connected electrically in series. Using atmospheric data and the SMARTS multiple scattering and absorption model, we simulated sunny day spectra over 1 year for five locations in the United States and determined the annual energy production of spectrum splitting ensembles with 2–20 subcells connected electrically in series or independently. While electrically independent subcells have a small efficiency advantage over series‐connected ensembles under the AM 1.5D design spectrum, they have a pronounced energy production advantage under realistic spectra over 1 year. Simulated energy production increased with subcell number for the electrically independent ensembles, but it peaked at 8–10 subcells for those connected in series. Electrically independent ensembles with 20 subcells produce up to 27% more energy annually than the series‐connected 20‐subcell ensemble. This energy production advantage persists when clouds are accounted for.

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Research Organization:: California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States); Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Light-Material Interactions in Energy Conversion (LMI)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: DE‐AR0000333; AR0000333; SC0001293

OSTI ID:: 1260849

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1263703; OSTI ID: 1362113

Journal Information:: Energy Science & Engineering, Journal Name: Energy Science & Engineering Vol. 4 Journal Issue: 4; ISSN 2050-0505

Publisher:: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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Cited by: 9 works

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