Tandem solar cell cost relations
Peters IM, Sofia S, Mailoa J, Buonassisi T (2017)
Publication Type: Conference contribution
Publication year: 2017
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages Range: 1189-1192
Conference Proceedings Title: 2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, PVSC 2017
Event location: Washington, DC, USA
ISBN: 9781509056057
DOI: 10.1109/PVSC.2017.8366631
Abstract
Tandem solar cells overcome conversion efficiency limitations of conventional single-junction solar cells by using multiple absorber materials with different band gap energies. The absorber materials are stacked in sequence with decreasing band gap energy, thus reducing thermalization losses in the conversion process. The improved conversion efficiency of a tandem solar cell comes at increased fabrication complexity and, hence, production cost. More fabrication steps and more materials are needed to produce a tandem solar cell than to produce a single-junction solar cell. Economically, a tandem solar cell is of interest if it generates electricity at a lower cost than either of its comprising single-junction counter parts. In this paper we present cost relations that link the costs and efficiencies of two single junction solar cells to those of a dual-junction tandem solar cell made from the combination of the two cells. In doing so, we establish criteria under which tandem solar cells are economically viable.
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United States (USA) (US)How to cite
APA:
Peters, I.M., Sofia, S., Mailoa, J., & Buonassisi, T. (2017). Tandem solar cell cost relations. In 2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, PVSC 2017 (pp. 1189-1192). Washington, DC, USA: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
MLA:
Peters, Ian Marius, et al. "Tandem solar cell cost relations." Proceedings of the 44th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, PVSC 2017, Washington, DC, USA Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2017. 1189-1192.
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