A comparison of 3 rd generation solar cell efficiencies using thermodynamic transfer functions: Which method is best?

Ze'ev R. Abrams; Avi Niv; Majid Gharghi; Chris Gladden; Xiang Zhang

doi:10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186352

A comparison of 3 ^rd generation solar cell efficiencies using thermodynamic transfer functions: Which method is best?

Ze'ev R. Abrams, Avi Niv, Majid Gharghi, Chris Gladden, Xiang Zhang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Exceeding the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit for a single junction solar cell has been theorized using various means. Specifically, up- and down-conversion, carrier multiplication and intermediate band transitions have been posited as methods of improving the efficiency. Here, we compare these methods using a thermodynamic approach with a newly devised pseudo-linear system model. This method allows a schematic interpretation of the internal processes of efficiency enhancement techniques. In particular, we demonstrate that down-conversion is thermodynamically preferable to carrier multiplication, and that splitting the sun's spectrum before impinging upon the solar cell is preferable to attempting to do this within the solar cell itself.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011
Pages	2031-2035
Number of pages	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186352
State	Published - 1 Dec 2011
Externally published	Yes
Event	37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011 - Seattle, WA, United States Duration: 19 Jun 2011 → 24 Jun 2011

Publication series

Name	Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
ISSN (Print)	0160-8371

Conference

Conference	37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011
Country/Territory	United States
City	Seattle, WA
Period	19/06/11 → 24/06/11

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Control and Systems Engineering
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186352

Cite this

Abrams, Z. R., Niv, A., Gharghi, M., Gladden, C., & Zhang, X. (2011). A comparison of 3 ^rd generation solar cell efficiencies using thermodynamic transfer functions: Which method is best? In Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011 (pp. 2031-2035). Article 6186352 (Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference). https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186352

@inproceedings{7fa7278a1e704d0486c0c406c3ad253b,

title = "A comparison of 3 rd generation solar cell efficiencies using thermodynamic transfer functions: Which method is best?",

abstract = "Exceeding the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit for a single junction solar cell has been theorized using various means. Specifically, up- and down-conversion, carrier multiplication and intermediate band transitions have been posited as methods of improving the efficiency. Here, we compare these methods using a thermodynamic approach with a newly devised pseudo-linear system model. This method allows a schematic interpretation of the internal processes of efficiency enhancement techniques. In particular, we demonstrate that down-conversion is thermodynamically preferable to carrier multiplication, and that splitting the sun's spectrum before impinging upon the solar cell is preferable to attempting to do this within the solar cell itself.",

author = "Abrams, {Ze'ev R.} and Avi Niv and Majid Gharghi and Chris Gladden and Xiang Zhang",

year = "2011",

month = dec,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186352",

language = "English",

isbn = "9781424499656",

series = "Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference",

pages = "2031--2035",

booktitle = "Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011",

note = "37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011 ; Conference date: 19-06-2011 Through 24-06-2011",

}

Abrams, ZR, Niv, A, Gharghi, M, Gladden, C & Zhang, X 2011, A comparison of 3 ^rd generation solar cell efficiencies using thermodynamic transfer functions: Which method is best? in Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011., 6186352, Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, pp. 2031-2035, 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011, Seattle, WA, United States, 19/06/11. https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186352

A comparison of 3 ^rd generation solar cell efficiencies using thermodynamic transfer functions: Which method is best? / Abrams, Ze'ev R.; Niv, Avi; Gharghi, Majid et al.
Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011. 2011. p. 2031-2035 6186352 (Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - A comparison of 3 rd generation solar cell efficiencies using thermodynamic transfer functions

T2 - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011

AU - Abrams, Ze'ev R.

AU - Niv, Avi

AU - Gharghi, Majid

AU - Gladden, Chris

AU - Zhang, Xiang

PY - 2011/12/1

Y1 - 2011/12/1

N2 - Exceeding the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit for a single junction solar cell has been theorized using various means. Specifically, up- and down-conversion, carrier multiplication and intermediate band transitions have been posited as methods of improving the efficiency. Here, we compare these methods using a thermodynamic approach with a newly devised pseudo-linear system model. This method allows a schematic interpretation of the internal processes of efficiency enhancement techniques. In particular, we demonstrate that down-conversion is thermodynamically preferable to carrier multiplication, and that splitting the sun's spectrum before impinging upon the solar cell is preferable to attempting to do this within the solar cell itself.

AB - Exceeding the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit for a single junction solar cell has been theorized using various means. Specifically, up- and down-conversion, carrier multiplication and intermediate band transitions have been posited as methods of improving the efficiency. Here, we compare these methods using a thermodynamic approach with a newly devised pseudo-linear system model. This method allows a schematic interpretation of the internal processes of efficiency enhancement techniques. In particular, we demonstrate that down-conversion is thermodynamically preferable to carrier multiplication, and that splitting the sun's spectrum before impinging upon the solar cell is preferable to attempting to do this within the solar cell itself.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84861049735&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186352

DO - 10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186352

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:84861049735

SN - 9781424499656

T3 - Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference

SP - 2031

EP - 2035

BT - Program - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011

Y2 - 19 June 2011 through 24 June 2011

ER -