Mechanically Stacked Solar Cells for Concentrator Photovoltaics

Authors

  • Ian Mathews Author
  • Donagh O'Mahony Author
  • Weiwei Yu Author
  • Declan Gordan Author
  • Nicolas Cordero Author
  • Brian Corbett Author
  • Alan P. Morrison Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24084/repqj09.628

Abstract

The power output of dual-junction mechanically stacked solar cells comprising different sub-cell materials in a terrestrial concentrating photovoltaic module has been evaluated. The ideal bandgap combination of both cells in a stack was found using EtaOpt. A combination of 1.4 eV and 0.7 eV has been found to produce the highest photovoltaic conversion efficiency under the AM1.5 Direct Solar Spectrum with x500 concentration. As EtaOpt does not consider the absorption profile of solar cell materials; the practical power output per unit area of a dual junction mechanically stacked solar cell has been modelled considering the optical absorption co-efficients and thicknesses of the individual solar cells. The model considered a GaAs top cell and a Ge, GaSb, Ga0.47In0.53As or Si bottom cell. It was found that GaSb gives the highest power contribution as a bottom cell in a dual junction configuration followed by Ge and GaInAs. While the additional power provided by a Si bottom cell is less than these it remains a suitable candidate for a bottom cell owing to its lower cost.

Author Biographies

  • Ian Mathews

    ian.mathews@tyndall.ie Tel: +353 21 4904177, Address: Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings,

    Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland

  • Donagh O'Mahony

    Tyndall National Institute UCC, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland

  • Weiwei Yu

    Tyndall National Institute UCC, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland

  • Declan Gordan

    Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

  • Nicolas Cordero

    Tyndall National Institute UCC, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland

  • Brian Corbett

     

    Tyndall National Institute UCC, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland

  • Alan P. Morrison

    Tyndall National Institute UCC, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland

    Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

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Published

2024-01-17

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Section

Articles