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A Review of Ultrahigh Efficiency III-V Semiconductor Compound Solar Cells: Multijunction Tandem, Lower Dimensional, Photonic Up/Down Conversion and Plasmonic Nanometallic Structures

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  • Katsuaki Tanabe

    (Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153–8505, Japan
    Institute for Nano Quantum Information Electronics, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153–8505, Japan)

Abstract

Solar cells are a promising renewable, carbon-free electric energy resource to address the fossil fuel shortage and global warming. Energy conversion efficiencies around 40% have been recently achieved in laboratories using III-V semiconductor compounds as photovoltaic materials. This article reviews the efforts and accomplishments made for higher efficiency III-V semiconductor compound solar cells, specifically with multijunction tandem, lower-dimensional, photonic up/down conversion, and plasmonic metallic structures. Technological strategies for further performance improvement from the most efficient (Al)InGaP/(In)GaAs/Ge triple-junction cells including the search for 1.0 eV bandgap semiconductors are discussed. Lower-dimensional systems such as quantum well and dot structures are being intensively studied to realize multiple exciton generation and multiple photon absorption to break the conventional efficiency limit. Implementation of plasmonic metallic nanostructures manipulating photonic energy flow directions to enhance sunlight absorption in thin photovoltaic semiconductor materials is also emerging.

Suggested Citation

  • Katsuaki Tanabe, 2009. "A Review of Ultrahigh Efficiency III-V Semiconductor Compound Solar Cells: Multijunction Tandem, Lower Dimensional, Photonic Up/Down Conversion and Plasmonic Nanometallic Structures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-27, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:2:y:2009:i:3:p:504-530:d:5345
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William L. Barnes & Alain Dereux & Thomas W. Ebbesen, 2003. "Surface plasmon subwavelength optics," Nature, Nature, vol. 424(6950), pages 824-830, August.
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    1. Katsuaki Tanabe, 2009. "Addendum: Tanabe, K. A Review of Ultrahigh Efficiency III-V Semiconductor Compound Solar Cells: Multijunction Tandem, Lower Dimensional, Photonic Up/Down Conversion and Plasmonic Nanometallic Structur," Energies, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-2, August.
    2. Amira R. AbouElhamd & Khaled A. Al-Sallal & Ahmed Hassan, 2019. "Review of Core/Shell Quantum Dots Technology Integrated into Building’s Glazing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Thanh Tuan Pham & Ngoc Hai Vu & Seoyong Shin, 2019. "Novel Design of Primary Optical Elements Based on a Linear Fresnel Lens for Concentrator Photovoltaic Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-20, March.

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