High-Efficiency Crystalline Tandem Cells

John C. C. Fan; B- Y. Tsaur; B. J. Palm

doi:10.1117/12.935690

8 September 1983 High-Efficiency Crystalline Tandem Cells

John C. C. Fan, B- Y. Tsaur, B. J. Palm

Proceedings Volume 0407, Photovoltaics for Solar Energy Applications II; (1983) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.935690
Event: 1983 Technical Symposium East, 1983, Arlington, United States

Abstract

Computer analysis of crystalline solar cells indicates that a substantial increase in cell conversion efficiencies can be achieved by using two-cell, multi-bandgap tandem structures instead of single-junction cells. Practical AM1 efficiencies of about 30% at one sun and over 30% at multiple suns are to be expected. The further increases in efficiency calculated for a three-cell tandem structure are smaller and may not justify the added complexity. For inexpensive two-cell tandem modules, Si is preferred for the bottom cell, and the top cell material should have a bandgap of 1.75 to 1.80 eV. The GaAs-AlAs and GaAs-GaP systems are attractive candidates for the top cell. Significant advances have been achieved in growing GaAs on Ge-coated Si substrates (for the two-terminal, two-cell structure) and in growing free-standing ultrathin GaAs layers (for the two-terminal or four-terminal structures). These material advances should be transferable to the GaAs-AlAs and GaAs-GaP systems.

Citation Download Citation

John C. C. Fan, B- Y. Tsaur, and B. J. Palm "High-Efficiency Crystalline Tandem Cells", Proc. SPIE 0407, Photovoltaics for Solar Energy Applications II, (8 September 1983); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.935690

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