| Issue |
EPJ Photovolt.
Volume 10, 2019
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Article Number | 1 | |
| Number of page(s) | 9 | |
| Section | High Efficiency Materials and Devices - New concepts | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/epjpv/2019001 | |
| Published online | 28 May 2019 | |
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjpv/2019001
Regular Article
Detailed balance calculations for hot-carrier solar cells: coupling high absorptivity with low thermalization through light trapping
1
NextPV, LIA RCAST-CNRS, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
2
Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 4-6-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
3
CNRS, Institut Photovoltaique d'Ile de France (IPVF), UMR 9006, 30 route départementale 128, 91120 Palaiseau, France
4
Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (C2N), CNRS, University Paris-Sud/Paris-Saclay, Route de Nozay, 91460
Marcoussis, France
* e-mail: maximegiteau@hotmail.fr
Received:
13
November
2018
Received in final form:
13
March
2019
Accepted:
19
April
2019
Published online: 28 May 2019
Hot-carrier solar cells could enable an efficiency gain compared to conventional cells, provided that a high current can be achieved, together with a hot-carrier population. Because the thermalization rate is proportional to the volume of the absorber, a fundamental requirement is to maximize the density of carriers generated per volume unit. In this work, we focus on the crucial role of light trapping to meet this objective. Using a detailed balance model taking into account losses through a thermalization factor, we obtained parameters of the hot-carrier population generated under continuous illumination. Different absorptions corresponding to different light path enhancements were compared. Results are presented for open-circuit voltage, at maximum power point and as a function of the applied voltage. The relation between the parameters of the cell (thermalization rate and absorptivity) and its characteristics (temperature, chemical potential, and efficiency) is explained. In particular, we clarify the link between absorbed light intensity and chemical potential. Overall, the results give quantitative values for the thermalization coefficient to be achieved and show that in the hot-carrier regime, absorptivity enhancement leads to an important increase in the carrier temperature and efficiency.
Key words: Hot-carrier solar cells / detailed balance / ultrathin absorber / light trapping / thermalization / chemical potential
© M. Giteau et al., published by EDP Sciences, 2019
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Current usage metrics show cumulative count of Article Views (full-text article views including HTML views, PDF and ePub downloads, according to the available data) and Abstracts Views on Vision4Press platform.
Data correspond to usage on the plateform after 2015. The current usage metrics is available 48-96 hours after online publication and is updated daily on week days.
Initial download of the metrics may take a while.