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Title: Current flow and efficiencies of concentrator InGaP/GaAs/Ge solar cells at temperatures below 300K

Journal Article · · AIP Conference Proceedings
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4897017· OSTI ID:22307892

The forward dark current density – voltage (J-V) characteristic is one of the most important characteristics of multi-junction solar cells. It indicates that the mechanisms of current flow in the space charge region of photoactive p-n junctions. If one is to idealize the optical and electrical (coupling) elements of the solar cells, it is the J-V characteristic that determines the theoretically possible efficiency of the solar cell. In this paper, using the connection between the dark J-V and photovoltaic (η-J{sub g}) efficiency – generated current density characteristics, the effect of current transport mechanisms in the space charge on the efficiency of multi-junction solar cells was investigated in the temperature range of 300 – 80 K. In the experimental J-V and η-J{sub g} curves of the multi-junction solar cells, segments corresponding to the dominant current transport mechanisms were identified. The developed method, based on the analysis of forward dark J-V characteristics, makes it possible to identify the parameters affecting the efficiency of the multi-junction solar cells in a wide range of temperatures and solar radiation concentration.

OSTI ID:
22307892
Journal Information:
AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1616, Issue 1; Conference: CPV-10: 10. international conference on concentrator photovoltaic systems, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 7-9 Apr 2014; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English