Photonics (Apr 2022)

Detailed Balance-Limiting Efficiency of Solar Cells with Dual Intermediate Bands Based on InAs/InGaAs Quantum Dots

  • Shenglin Wang,
  • Xiaoguang Yang,
  • Hongyu Chai,
  • Zunren Lv,
  • Shuai Wang,
  • Haomiao Wang,
  • Hong Wang,
  • Lei Meng,
  • Tao Yang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9050290
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 5
p. 290

Abstract

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The intermediate-band solar cell (IBSC) has been proposed as a high-efficiency solar cell because of the extended absorption it allows for, which results from the intermediate band. In order to further increase the efficiency of IBSCs, we study a novel device with dual intermediate bands. Because of the extended absorption from the second intermediate band, the efficiency of a dual IBSC can reach 86.5% at a full concentration. Moreover, we study the performance of the IBSC based on InAs/InGaAs quantum dots. The efficiency of the device is shown to be able to reach 74.4% when the In composition is 75%. In addition, the transition process between the dual intermediate bands greatly affects the efficiency, so it is important to design the dual intermediate bands in a precise manner.

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