Impact of solar upconversion on photovoltaic cell efficiency: optical models of state-of-the-art solar cells with upconverters

2014 ◽  
Vol 1638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inna Kozinsky ◽  
Yi Xiang Yeng ◽  
Yao Huang
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Band Gap ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Photovoltaic Cell ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Maximum Benefit ◽  
Cell Layers ◽  
Photovoltaic Technologies

ABSTRACTCurrent photovoltaic technologies harvest only a fraction of incoming solar energy since they are unable to utilize photons with energies below the cell band gap. Placed behind a solar cell, the upconverter converts transmitted low-energy photons to photons with energies higher than the cell band gap. The higher energy photons are absorbed by the solar cell and contribute to the photocurrent. We developed optical models of several state-of-the-art commercial and research thin-film solar cells incorporating the upconversion layer. We present both analytical models based on published EQE data as well as detailed finite difference time domain (FDTD) models that incorporate absorption in all cell layers. We model the improvement in absorption and overall cell performance of amorphous Si, CIGS, GaAs, CdTe, and Cu2O cells with upconverting layers. We incorporate and discuss the effect of interface texture and different cell layers on the absorption of upconverted photons and make suggestions for improving the overall cell design to get the maximum benefit from upconversion. We estimate that the cell efficiency enhancement can range from 0.5% to up to 5% absolute depending on the cell type and upconversion efficiency. This work connects to the fundamental efficiency limit analysis of narrow-bandwidth solar upconversion by our collaborators [1], but presents concrete optical models of current solar cells and discusses the promise of upconversion for particular applications.

scholarly journals Advanced Selection Materials in Solar Cell Efficiency and their Properties- A Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Alarifi
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Deposition Process ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Hydrophobic Coating ◽  
Cell Layers ◽  
The Cost

Solar cell layers technology has achieved global standing in the solar cell layers deposition process, and it covers the innovative methods and techniques in significant applications. Recent solar cell layers technology has an advanced interest in a refined approach to enhance performance and highlights the importance of recent proficient procedures for manufacturing. For example, the application is used to search for novel materials for solar cells' layers to clarify the current energy crisis. The technological process and various types of solar cells depend on climate change. Among them, layers of solar cells and silicon wafer solar cells are very encouraging. Solar cell layers technology has led to solar cells being a more reasonable active option in design and production. The productivities facilitated by new solar cells still need to be enhanced for the various processes involved in the additional enhancement from Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) microfilms to solar cell crystal structure dye-sensitized solar cells. The hydrophobic coating works as an anti-dust coating, enhancing efficiency and decreasing the cost of cleaning solar cells. In Saudi Arabia Majmaah City, most solar projects are in dry regions, where the dusty weather reduces solar cell efficiency. Therefore, combining these two properties and applying an anti-reflective and superhydrophobic coating will increase solar cell efficiency by 20%. Solar cells' crystal structure results are substituted with layers or new materials to balance environmental impact and toxic nature.

scholarly journals CdTe-Based Thin Film Solar Cells: Past, Present and Future

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1684
Author(s):  
Alessandro Romeo ◽  
Elisa Artegiani
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency

CdTe is a very robust and chemically stable material and for this reason its related solar cell thin film photovoltaic technology is now the only thin film technology in the first 10 top producers in the world. CdTe has an optimum band gap for the Schockley-Queisser limit and could deliver very high efficiencies as single junction device of more than 32%, with an open circuit voltage of 1 V and a short circuit current density exceeding 30 mA/cm2. CdTe solar cells were introduced at the beginning of the 70s and they have been studied and implemented particularly in the last 30 years. The strong improvement in efficiency in the last 5 years was obtained by a new redesign of the CdTe solar cell device reaching a single solar cell efficiency of 22.1% and a module efficiency of 19%. In this paper we describe the fabrication process following the history of the solar cell as it was developed in the early years up to the latest development and changes. Moreover the paper also presents future possible alternative absorbers and discusses the only apparently controversial environmental impacts of this fantastic technology.

scholarly journals Junction Configuration Effects on the Photovoltaic Parameters of a-Si/CZTS Solar Cells

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Bitam ◽  
B. Hadjoudja ◽  
Beddiaf Zaidi ◽  
C. Shakher ◽  
S. Gagui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Open Circuit Voltage ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Photovoltaic Devices ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Reported Study ◽  
Stated Problem

Due to increased energy intensive human activities resulting accelerated demand for electric power coupled with occurrence of natural disasters with increased frequency, intensity, and duration, it becomes essential to explore and advance renewable energy technology for sustainability of the society. Addressing the stated problem and providing a radical solution has been attempted in this study. To harvest the renewable energy, among variety of solar cells reported, a composite a-Si/CZTS photovoltaic devices has not yet been investigated. The calculated parameters for solar cell based on the new array of layers consisting of a-Si/CZTS are reported in this study. The variation of i) solar cell efficiency as a function of CZTS layer thickness, temperature, acceptor, and donor defect concentration; ii) variation of the open circuit current density as a function of temperature, open circuit voltage; iii) variation of open circuit voltage as a function of the thickness of the CZTS layer has been determined. There has been no reported study on a-Si/CZTS configuration-based solar cell, analysis of the parameters, and study to address the challenges imped efficiency of the photovoltaic device and the same has been discussed in this work. The value of the SnO2/a-Si/CZTS solar cells obtained from the simulation is 23.9 %.

scholarly journals Numerical Simulation of a Textured and Untextured Photovoltaic Solar Cell: Comparative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
pp. 104-114
Author(s):  
Karim Salim ◽  
◽  
M.N Amroun ◽  
K Sahraoui ◽  
W Azzoui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Silicon Solar Cell ◽  
The Other ◽  
Surface Parameters ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Photovoltaic Solar Cell ◽  
A Cell

Increasing the efficiency of solar cells relies on the surface of the solar cell. In this work, we simulated a textured silicon solar cell. This simulation allowed us to predict the values of the surface parameters such as the angle and depth between the pyramids for an optimal photovoltaic conversion where we found the Icc: 1.783 (A) and Vco: 0.551 (V) with a cell efficiency of about 13.56%. On the other hand, we performed another simulation of a non-textured solar cell to compare our values and found Icc: 1.623 (A) and Vco: 0.556 (V) with an efficiency of about 12.76%.

Investigation of Quantum Dot Solar Cell Device Performance

2013 ◽  
Vol 1551 ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Neil S. Beattie ◽  
Guillaume Zoppi ◽  
Ian Farrer ◽  
Patrick See ◽  
Robert W. Miles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Quantum Dot ◽  
Band Gap ◽  
Control Device ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Device Performance ◽  
Intermediate Band ◽  
Control Devices

ABSTRACTThe device performance of GaAs p-i-n solar cells containing stacked layers of self-assembled InAs quantum dots is investigated. The solar cells demonstrate enhanced external quantum efficiency below the GaAs band gap relative to a control device without quantum dots. This is attributed to the capture of sub-band gap photons by the quantum dots. Analysis of the current density versus voltage characteristic for the quantum dot solar cell reveals a decrease in the series resistance as the device area is reduce from 0.16 cm2 to 0.01 cm2. This is effect is not observed in control devices and is quantum dot related. Furthermore, low temperature measurements of the open circuit voltage for both quantum dot and control devices provide experimental verification of the conditions required to realise an intermediate band gap solar cell.

Thin‐film solar cells exceeding 22% solar cell efficiency: An overview on CdTe-, Cu(In,Ga)Se2-, and perovskite-based materials

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 041602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Powalla ◽  
Stefan Paetel ◽  
Erik Ahlswede ◽  
Roland Wuerz ◽  
Cordula D. Wessendorf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency

scholarly journals Photovoltaic Cell: Optimum Photon Utilisation

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 64-85
Author(s):  
Liam Caruana ◽  
Thomas Nommensen ◽  
Toan Dinh ◽  
Dennis Tran ◽  
Robert McCormick
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Entropy Generation ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Photovoltaic Cell ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Light Spectrum ◽  
Energy Incident ◽  
Global Energy Consumption

In the 21st century, global energy consumption has increased exponentially and hence, sustainable energy sources are essential to accommodate for this. Advancements within photovoltaics, in regards to light trapping, has demonstrated to be a promising field of dramatically improving the efficiency of solar cells. This improvement is done by using different nanostructures, which enables solar cells to use the light spectrum emitted more efficiently. The purpose of this meta study is to investigate irreversible entropic losses related to light trapping. In this respect, the observation is aimed at how nanostructures on a silicon substrate captures high energy incident photons. Furthermore, different types of nanostructures are then investigated and compared, using the étendue ratio during light trapping. It is predicted that étendue mismatching is a parasitic entropy generation variable, and that the matching has an effect on the open circuit voltage of the solar cell. Although solar cells do have their limiting efficiencies, according to the Shockley-Queisser theory and Yablonovitch limit, with careful engineering and manufacturing practices, these irreversible entropic losses could be minimized. Further research in energy losses, due to entropy generation, may guide nanostructures and photonics in exceeding past these limits.Keywords: Photovoltaic cell; Shockley-Queisser; Solar cell nanostructures; Solar cell intrinsic and extrinsic losses; entropy; étendue; light trapping; Shockley Queisser; Geometry; Meta-study

scholarly journals Wide Band-Gap 3,4-Difluorothiophene-Based Polymer with 7% Solar Cell Efficiency: An Alternative to P3HT

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 4184-4187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannic Wolf ◽  
Federico Cruciani ◽  
Abdulrahman El Labban ◽  
Pierre M. Beaujuge
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Band Gap ◽  
Wide Band ◽  
Wide Band Gap ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency

Theoretical Investigations of Polymer Based Solar Cells

2004 ◽  
Vol 822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Echols ◽  
Chris E. France
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Band Gap ◽  
Polymer Blend ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Normal Incidence ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Action Spectra ◽  
Conversion Efficiencies

AbstractWe investigate the behavior of a polymer blend (M3EH-PPV:CN-ether-PPV) bulk heterojunction solar cell using a numeric model that self-consistently solves Poisson's equation and the charge continuity equation while incorporating electric field dependent mobilities. We obtain good quantitative agreement with present experimental data for J-V curves and photocurrent action spectra. To reproduce experimental photocurrent action spectra, our model predicts 36% exciton dissociation efficiencies in the bulk of the polymer. We also study the limiting conditions of polymer solar cell development by simulating an ideal solar cell using an AM1.5 global spectrum and assuming all absorbed photons hitting a M3EH-PPV:CN-ether-PPV polymer blend (band gap ∼2.0 eV) based solar cell at normal incidence contribute to current. If such a solar cell has 100 nm length, open circuit voltage=0.6 V and 50% fill factor, then the maximum theoretical power conversion efficiency is ηp=5.6%. A similar analysis for a M3EH-PPV:PCBM bulk heterojunction cell yields, ηp=3.5%. These results further highlight the need to develop smaller band gap materials and help explain why the best polymer based solar cells have power conversion efficiencies that remain stuck at about 3%. Our model is used to investigate the important increase in power conversion efficiencies we can expect as lower band gap polymers become available.

scholarly journals Water-soluble ZnSe/ZnS:Mn/ZnS quantum dots convert UV to visible light for improved Si solar cell efficiency

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisaaki Nishimura ◽  
Takaya Maekawa ◽  
Kazushi Enomoto ◽  
Naoteru Shigekawa ◽  
Tomomi Takagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Visible Light ◽  
Solar Spectrum ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Si Solar Cell ◽  
Si Solar Cells

The sensitivity of Si solar cells to the UV portion of the solar spectrum is low, and must be increased to further improve their efficiencies.

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