2010/12/09 by A. Le Bris, Arthur Le Bris, Bris, A. Le +29
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Chalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Films #FOS: Physical sciences #Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) #Silicon and Solar Cell Technologies #cond-mat.mtrl-sci #solar cell performance optimization
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1012.1944
25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition / 5th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Valencia : Spain (2010)
arxiv created 2010/12/09 · openalex publication_date 2010/12/09 · arxiv updated 2010/12/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Hot carrier solar cells allow potential efficiency close to the thermodynamical limit in ideal conditions. However, the feasability of such devices has not been clearly stated so far and only ideal cells were considered in previous studies. Here we develop a model with realistic energy selective contacts, carrier thermalization and absorptivity. The requirements in term of contact selectivity is investigated, showing that semi-selective contacts are not incompatible with high efficiencies. Candidates for absorbing material were synthesized and the required thermalization properties are obtained. Specific structures were designed to enhance absorption of concentrated sunlight in a small material thickness, allowing high carrier density in the absorber.