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Physics of High Efficiency Multijunction Solar Cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Jeffrey Yang ,
Robert Ross ,
Ralph Mohr  and
Jeffrey P. Fournier
Jeffrey Yang
Affiliation:
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., 1675 West Maple Road, Troy, MI 48084
Robert Ross
Affiliation:
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., 1675 West Maple Road, Troy, MI 48084
Ralph Mohr
Affiliation:
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., 1675 West Maple Road, Troy, MI 48084
Jeffrey P. Fournier
Affiliation:
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., 1675 West Maple Road, Troy, MI 48084
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Abstract

We have shown that high efficiency solar cells can be obtained by incorporating materials of different band gaps in a multijunction configuration. This configuration gives rise to high efficiency due to spectrum splitting as well as superior stability due to thin top cells.

We have fabricated multijunction solar cells and acheived a 13% conversion efficiency using 1.7eV a-Si:F:H and 1.5 eV a-Si:Ge:F:H materials in a three-cell triple configuration. This device was deposited onto a stainless steel substrate coated with a back reflector; it also incorporates a microcrystalline p+ layer.

The physical properties of each of the solar cell layers and their role in the device physics of a high efficiency solar cell will be described.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 95: Symposium E – Amorphous Silicon Semiconductors--Pure and Hydrogenated , 1987 , 517
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1987

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References

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