Quantifying intrinsic loss mechanisms in solar cells: Why is power efficiency fundamentally limited?

Louise C. Hirst; Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes

doi:10.1117/12.860681

24 August 2010 Quantifying intrinsic loss mechanisms in solar cells: Why is power efficiency fundamentally limited?

Louise C. Hirst, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes

Proceedings Volume 7772, Next Generation (Nano) Photonic and Cell Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion; 777211 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.860681
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Intrinsic loss mechanisms are quantified for a single junction device under one sun illumination. Thermalisation, below Eg and Boltzmann losses are shown to be the dominant loss mechanisms in a device with Eg = 1.31eV , accounting for 30%, 25% and 9% of the incident solar radiation respectively. Alternative device designs which target these dominant intrinsic losses are considered. Concentrator (and restricted emission) devices target Boltzmann loss. This loss mechanism is shown to have a logarithmic relationship with concentration and as such, a small increase in absorption solid angle equates to a large increase in fundamental limiting efficiency. A multi-junction device resolves the mismatch between the broad solar spectrum and single threshold absorption, and thus targets below Eg and thermalisation losses. A greater number of junctions allows the device absorption profile to better match the solar spectrum, increasing device efficiency. Boltzmann loss slightly increases with junction number and as such, concentration will be proportionally more effective at increasing efficiency in a multi-junction device. A hot carrier device targets thermalisation loss. This loss mechanism is eliminated in the impact ionisation model used in this paper, allowing for enhanced device efficiency. ----- The on-screen and audio presentation of this paper can be played by clicking the multimedia PDF link at the bottom right hand of this page.

Citation Download Citation

Louise C. Hirst and Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes "Quantifying intrinsic loss mechanisms in solar cells: Why is power efficiency fundamentally limited?", Proc. SPIE 7772, Next Generation (Nano) Photonic and Cell Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion, 777211 (24 August 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.860681

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available