The realistic energy yield potential of GaAs-on-Si tandem solar cells: A theoretical case study
Liu H, Ren Z, Liu Z, Aberle AG, Buonassisi T, Peters IM (2015)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2015
Journal
Book Volume: 23
Pages Range: A382-A390
Journal Issue: 7
DOI: 10.1364/OE.23.00A382
Abstract
Si based tandem solar cells represent an alternative to traditional compound III-V multijunction cells as a promising way to achieve high efficiencies. A theoretical study on the energy yield of GaAs on Si (GaAs/Si) tandem solar cells is performed to assess their energy yield potential under realistic illumination conditions with varying spectrum. We find that the yield of a 4-terminal contact scheme with thick top cell is more than 15% higher than for a 2-terminal scheme. Furthermore, we quantify the main losses that occur for this type of solar cell under varying spectra. Apart from current mismatch, we find that a significant power loss can be attributed to low irradiance seen by the sub-cells. The study shows that despite non-optimal bandgap combination, GaAs/Si tandem solar cells have the potential to surpass 30% energy conversion efficiency.
Involved external institutions
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Singapore (SG)
Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)
Singapore (SG)
Singapore (SG)
Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)
Singapore (SG)
How to cite
APA:
Liu, H., Ren, Z., Liu, Z., Aberle, A.G., Buonassisi, T., & Peters, I.M. (2015). The realistic energy yield potential of GaAs-on-Si tandem solar cells: A theoretical case study. Optics Express, 23(7), A382-A390. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.23.00A382
MLA:
Liu, Haohui, et al. "The realistic energy yield potential of GaAs-on-Si tandem solar cells: A theoretical case study." Optics Express 23.7 (2015): A382-A390.
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