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Six-junction III–V solar cells with 47.1% conversion efficiency under 143 Suns concentration

Author

Listed:
  • John F. Geisz

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))

  • Ryan M. France

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))

  • Kevin L. Schulte

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))

  • Myles A. Steiner

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))

  • Andrew G. Norman

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))

  • Harvey L. Guthrey

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))

  • Matthew R. Young

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))

  • Tao Song

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))

  • Thomas Moriarty

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))

Abstract

Single-junction flat-plate terrestrial solar cells are fundamentally limited to about 30% solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency, but multiple junctions and concentrated light make much higher efficiencies practically achievable. Until now, four-junction III–V concentrator solar cells have demonstrated the highest solar conversion efficiencies. Here, we demonstrate 47.1% solar conversion efficiency using a monolithic, series-connected, six-junction inverted metamorphic structure operated under the direct spectrum at 143 Suns concentration. When tuned to the global spectrum, a variation of this structure achieves a 1-Sun global efficiency of 39.2%. Nearly optimal bandgaps for six junctions were fabricated using alloys of III–V semiconductors. To develop these junctions, it was necessary to minimize threading dislocations in lattice-mismatched III–V alloys, prevent phase segregation in metastable quaternary III–V alloys and understand dopant diffusion in complex structures. Further reduction of the series resistance within this structure could realistically enable efficiencies over 50%.

Suggested Citation

  • John F. Geisz & Ryan M. France & Kevin L. Schulte & Myles A. Steiner & Andrew G. Norman & Harvey L. Guthrey & Matthew R. Young & Tao Song & Thomas Moriarty, 2020. "Six-junction III–V solar cells with 47.1% conversion efficiency under 143 Suns concentration," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 5(4), pages 326-335, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:5:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1038_s41560-020-0598-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-020-0598-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Costas Prouskas & Angelos Mourkas & Georgios Zois & Elefterios Lidorikis & Panos Patsalas, 2022. "A New Type of Architecture of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells as an Alternative Pathway to Outdoor Photovoltaics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-14, March.
    2. Abdelrahman Lashin & Mohammad Al Turkestani & Mohamed Sabry, 2020. "Performance of a Thermoelectric Generator Partially Illuminated with Highly Concentrated Light," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Guanheng Fan & Yiqun Zhang & Xiangfei Ji & Yang Yang, 2022. "Two-Layer Ring Truss-Based Space Solar Power Station," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Badr, Farouk & Radwan, Ali & Ahmed, Mahmoud & Hamed, Ahmed M., 2022. "An experimental study of the concentrator photovoltaic/thermoelectric generator performance using different passive cooling methods," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 1078-1094.
    5. Jhuma Sadhukhan & Bruno G. Pollet & Miles Seaman, 2022. "Hydrogen Production and Storage: Analysing Integration of Photoelectrolysis, Electron Harvesting Lignocellulose, and Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide-Fixing Biosynthesis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-13, July.
    6. Khan, Firoz & Rezgui, Béchir Dridi & Khan, Mohd Taukeer & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad, 2022. "Perovskite-based tandem solar cells: Device architecture, stability, and economic perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    7. Chee, A. Kuan-Way, 2023. "On current technology for light absorber materials used in highly efficient industrial solar cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    8. Zheng, Likai & Xuan, Yimin, 2021. "Performance estimation of a V-shaped perovskite/silicon tandem device: A case study based on a bifacial heterojunction silicon cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    9. Duc Tu Vu & Ngoc Minh Kieu & Tran Quoc Tien & Thanh Phuong Nguyen & Hoang Vu & Seoyong Shin & Ngoc Hai Vu, 2022. "Solar Concentrator Bio-Inspired by the Superposition Compound Eye for High-Concentration Photovoltaic System up to Thousands Fold Factor," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-24, May.
    10. Betz, Ulrich A.K. & Arora, Loukik & Assal, Reem A. & Azevedo, Hatylas & Baldwin, Jeremy & Becker, Michael S. & Bostock, Stefan & Cheng, Vinton & Egle, Tobias & Ferrari, Nicola & Schneider-Futschik, El, 2023. "Game changers in science and technology - now and beyond," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    11. Zuo, Jianyong & Dong, Liwei & Yang, Fan & Guo, Ziheng & Wang, Tianpeng & Zuo, Lei, 2023. "Energy harvesting solutions for railway transportation: A comprehensive review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 56-87.
    12. L. Cabezón & L. G. B. Ruiz & D. Criado-Ramón & E. J. Gago & M. C. Pegalajar, 2022. "Photovoltaic Energy Production Forecasting through Machine Learning Methods: A Scottish Solar Farm Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-14, November.
    13. Alessio Bosio & Gianluca Foti & Stefano Pasini & Donato Spoltore, 2023. "A Review on the Fundamental Properties of Sb 2 Se 3 -Based Thin Film Solar Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-28, September.
    14. Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas & João Paulo N. Torres & João P. de Melo Cunha, 2022. "A Photovoltaic Technology Review: History, Fundamentals and Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-44, March.

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