Invited: Advanced photon management in printed high-efficiency multijunction solar cells

X. Sheng, J. A. Rogers

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Multijunction (MJ) solar cells have the potential to operate across the entire solar spectrum, for ultrahigh efficiencies in solar energy harvesting. We present materials and strategies of using printed MJ solar cell structures to bypass the challenges in conventional multijunction cell design. Firstly, microscale, quadruple junction (InGaP/GaAs/InGaAsNSb//Ge), four-terminal solar cells are fabricated by printing-based assembly with a refractive index matched interface material As2Se3. We obtain solar cells with measured efficiencies of 43.9% at concentrations exceeding 1000 suns, and modules with efficiencies of 36.5%. Secondly, we present a printed MJ cell architecture with low refractive indices as interfaces, providing further enhanced capabilities in photon recycling and photon extraction. Experiments demonstrate that thin-film GaAs devices printed on low-index substrates exhibit improved photon recycling, leading to increased open-circuit voltages, consistent with theoretical predictions. These concepts represent important aspects of design for solar cells that approach thermodynamic efficiency limits for full spectrum operation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationState-of-the-Art Program on Compound Semiconductors 57, SOTAPOCS 2015
EditorsY. L. Wang, V. Chakrapani, T. J. Anderson, J. M. Zavada, D. C. R. Abernathy, J. K. Hite
PublisherElectrochemical Society Inc.
Pages95-100
Number of pages6
Edition7
ISBN (Electronic)9781607685975
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
EventSymposium on State-of-the-Art Program on Compound Semiconductors 57, SOTAPOCS 2015 - 227th ECS Meeting - Chicago, United States
Duration: May 24 2015May 28 2015

Publication series

NameECS Transactions
Number7
Volume66
ISSN (Print)1938-6737
ISSN (Electronic)1938-5862

Other

OtherSymposium on State-of-the-Art Program on Compound Semiconductors 57, SOTAPOCS 2015 - 227th ECS Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago
Period5/24/155/28/15

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Engineering(all)

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