Spectral matching and outdoor solar to electrical conversion efficiency in thin-film silicon multi-junction solar cells

S. Reynolds (Lead / Corresponding author), F. Urbain, V. Smirnov

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    4 Citations (Scopus)
    171 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Semi-empirical computer modelling is used to investigate spectral matching in tandem and triple-junction thin film silicon solar cells. In amorphous/microcrystalline silicon (a-Si:H/μc-Si:H) tandem cells, current mis-match is offset by an increase in fill-factor, resulting in a broad peak in efficiency versus average photon energy. For a-Si:H/a-Si:H tandem cells, photo-generated currents in both sub-cells increase with increasing average photon energy, and efficiency is predicted to increase monotonically over a wide spectral range. a-Si:H/a-Si:H/μc-Si:H triple cells exhibit spectral behaviour similar to a-Si:H/μc-Si:H tandem cells, but with a smaller fill-factor dependence. Variations in spectral quality are predicted to account for only a small reduction in annual electrical energy yield, of some 2 to 4%.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number012025
    Pages (from-to)1-6
    Number of pages6
    JournalJournal of Physics: Conference Series
    Volume794
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 22 Feb 2017
    Event19th International School on Condensed Matter Physics - Sv. Konstantin, Varna, Bulgaria
    Duration: 29 Aug 20162 Sept 2016
    http://iscmp.issp.bas.bg/index.php (Link to Conference website)

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Spectral matching and outdoor solar to electrical conversion efficiency in thin-film silicon multi-junction solar cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this