Limiting Efficiencies for Multiple Energy-Gap Quantum Devices

Author

Cheng-Hsiao Wu, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Richard M. Williams

Abstract

We have used a thermodynamic model to calculate theoretical limiting efficiencies for simple and multiple gap solar cells. The limiting efficiency is 26% for a simple solar cell of hydrogenated amorphous silicon, operating at one Sun sensitivity. For a multiple gap cell made from hydrogenated amorphous silicon, together with a second cell, made from a material with lower band gap, it is 38%. The optimum band gap for the second material is 1.0 eV.

Recommended Citation

C. Wu and R. M. Williams, "Limiting Efficiencies for Multiple Energy-Gap Quantum Devices," Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 54, no. 11, pp. 6721 - 6724, American Institute of Physics (AIP), Nov 1983.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.331859

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Mathematical Models; Thermodynamics; Solar Cells

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0021-8979

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1983 American Institute of Physics (AIP), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Nov 1983