Thermodynamic efficiency limits for semiconductor solar cells with carrier multiplication

doi:10.1016/0927-0248(95)00125-5

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Volumes 41–42, June 1996, Pages 419-425

https://doi.org/10.1016/0927-0248(95)00125-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

Our recent quantum efficiency measurements showed that more than one electron/hole pair per absorbed photon can be created in a solar cell. Thermodynamic consideration of carrier multiplication leads to new efficiency limits for photovoltaic energy conversion. An efficiency of 43% is theoretically possible for cells which are illuminated by the sun's unconcentrated black body radiation. For sun light of full concentration, the new limit is 85%. These ideal values are thermodynamically possible with a single semiconductor which makes optimum use of carrier multiplication and shows radiative recombination only. The theoretical description of the thermodynamics of radiative recombination in a cell with carrier multiplication leads us also to a novel mathematical description of the saturation current density.

References (17)

AraujoG.L. et al.
Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells
(1994)
KolodinskiS. et al.
Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells
(1994)
ShockleyW. et al.
J. Appl. Phys.
(1961)
RuppelW. et al.
IEEE Trans. Electron. Dev.
(1980)
TiedjeT. et al.
IEEE Trans. Electron. Dev.
(1984)
De VosA.
Endoreversible Thermodynamics of Solar Energy Conversion
(1992)
AraujoG.L.
KolodinskiS. et al.
Appl. Phys. Lett.
(1993)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (85)

Core-shell quantum dots: A review on classification, materials, application, and theoretical modeling
2022, Journal of Alloys and Compounds
The core-shell quantum dots (CSQDs) are three-dimensional (3D) confined semiconductor nanoparticles that are widely researched to accommodate the needs of modern-day applications. In addition to chemical stability, the shape, size, and surface modification of CSQDs play a vital role in the carrier confinement resulting in a wide range of optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), etc. The current review highlights the classifications and applications of CSQD systems based on semiconductor materials. The aspects related to the characterization, properties, and theoretical modeling of colloidal semiconductor CSQDs focusing on the role of the shell have been presented. Also, the altering of bandstructure from the viewpoint of lattice-mismatched strain, carrier dynamics, and its application in optoelectronic devices has been highlighted. Further, the article emphasized the different techniques used for theoretical modeling of the different shaped CSQD systems. To conclude, the article discussed in detail the recent progress in the theoretical modeling of quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs) using the detailed balance model and its limitations based on modification in the recombination current density.
1.13 - Basics: Thermodynamics
2022, Comprehensive Renewable Energy, Second Edition: Volume 1-9
Elementary concepts about the thermodynamics of undiluted and diluted thermal radiation are introduced. Solar direct and diffuse radiation, respectively, are particular cases of the general theory. The mathematical description of reversible solar radiation concentration is developed by using a simple formalism based on the Lagrange invariant (the étendue). The basic thermodynamics necessary to describe the operation of photovoltaic devices is briefly presented. The principle of building the detailed balance equation models is described explicitly. The way of improving the accuracy of those models is emphasized and results obtained by using more detailed models are listed. Examples are given for mono-gap solar cells and for omnicolor photovoltaic converters.
Sm<sup>3+</sup>/Yb<sup>3+</sup> co-doped GeO<inf>2</inf>-PbO glass for efficiency enhancement of silicon solar cells
2021, Optical Materials
Citation Excerpt :
The importance of PV efficiency is reflected in how it is seriously addressed; new materials and methods are being investigated to reach at least few decimals of gain in the efficiency. Brendel et al. [2] established the theoretical limit of 43% for the efficiency of semiconductor solar cells taking into account the Auger generation as a possible mechanism of carrier multiplication [3–6]. Experimentally, the race to enhance the efficiency of solar cells continues, on one hand, by searching alternative materials for solar cells [7,8] and, on the other hand, trying to increase the absorption of solar radiation.
Luminescent properties and energy transfer processes in GeO₂-PbO glasses co-doped with Sm³⁺/Yb³⁺ were investigated. The concentration of Sm³⁺ was 1 mol% while the concentration of Yb³⁺ was 0.2 and 0.5 mol%. Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters $Ω_{λ} (λ = 2,4,6)$ were calculated from absorption spectra of the co-doped glass samples, together with transitions probabilities $A_{j j^{'}}$ and radiative lifetimes $τ_{R}$ . Visible and NIR emission spectra were obtained under excitation of wavelengths corresponding to the ⁶H_5/2 →(⁶P_7/2,⁶P_3/2,⁴I_11/2) transitions of Sm³⁺ resulting in different emission channels from ⁴G_5/2 level energy to lower energy levels. The set of co-doped and undoped glasses were placed on the top of a conventional silicon solar cell and the relative efficiency was studied. Cooperative energy transfer between the Sm³⁺ ion and Yb³⁺ ion would probably be responsible for observed enhancement in the energy efficiency of about 10%.
Effect of impact ionization on the performance of quantum ratchet embedded intermediate band solar cell: An extensive simulation study
2019, Optik
An investigation has been carried out on the performance of quantum ratchet embedded intermediate band solar cell by considering impact ionization in the sub-bandgap region. The architecture under investigation is modelled using Silvaco ATLAS TCAD. More emphasis has been provided in the analysis of important paradigms like quantum efficiency, spectral response, generated electric field and recombination involved in the cell, which are the sole reason behind the low efficiency (E_ff), fill factor (FF), short circuit current density (J_sc) and open circuit voltage (V_oc). The use of impact ionization solves the lower J_sc issue by generating more than one electron-hole pair by the use of single photon, while the use of ratchet band solves the voltage preservation problem by enhancing the carrier lifetime of the minority generated photocarriers. With this advanced feature, this architecture provides a higher efficiency of > 80%.
A review of materials selection for optimized efficiency in quantum dot sensitized solar cells: A simplified approach to reviewing literature data
2017, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Citation Excerpt :
This is significantly higher (33% higher) than the experimentally reported data that we used in our analysis where the maximum efficiency for ASSSCs was 15%. Obviously, the predicted efficiency is still way lower than theoretically achievable efficiency (85%) for such solar cells [215]. This indicates that the researchers need to think out of the box and develop new materials and combinations thereof to eliminate various charge losses to achieve efficiency that is beyond predicted 20%.
Quantum dot (QD) sensitized solar cells have been receiving significant attention because of their potential to replace the existing conventional solar cells as low cost and high efficiency alternatives. This widespread attention has generated a large number of published research papers in the field that were recently reviewed. The challenge in reviewing the literature is in transforming the collected technical information generated through independently conducted perturbation experiments into an alternative point of view. A unique approach based on inferential statistics is explained and applied to reviewed QD based solar cells data. Analyzing the data in this fashion has provided us new and previously unknown insight into the operation and functioning of solar cells as well as the relative quantitative importance of each variable involved in determining the properties of interest in solar cells. This methodology is very powerful and can be applied to gain insight through reviewing the published data in any field of science to set the direction for ongoing and future research. In addition, the response surface methodology is explained and used to predict the reachable optimum efficiency of 20% with a given set of materials combination given the current state of the art.
Thermodynamic study of solar photovoltaic energy conversion: An overview
2017, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
The thermodynamic basis of energy conversion systems is being utilized to carry out performance assessments and feasibility studies on photovoltaic (PV) systems in order to improve the design and efficiency of the system. The thermodynamic process of converting solar radiation directly into electrical energy, i.e. solar PV energy conversion, has been established, which includes electrical power generation, optical/thermal losses and electrical losses. In this paper, the thermodynamic modeling based on energy, endoreversible, entropy and exergy models of solar PV energy conversion system has been presented using the first and second law of thermodynamic, with an updated literature survey. The energetic and exergetic efficiencies of PV system have been evaluated and the reported theoretical upper limit efficiency of PV system using different thermodynamic models have been presented.

View all citing articles on Scopus

View full text

Thermodynamic efficiency limits for semiconductor solar cells with carrier multiplication

Abstract

Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells

Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells

J. Appl. Phys.

IEEE Trans. Electron. Dev.

IEEE Trans. Electron. Dev.

Endoreversible Thermodynamics of Solar Energy Conversion

Appl. Phys. Lett.