KNT-Scientific-Publications

Voltage recovery in intermediate band solar cells

The intermediate band solar cell (IBSC) is based on a novel photovoltaic concept and has a limiting efficiency of 63.2%, which compares favorably with the 40.7% efficiency of a conventional, single junction solar cell. It is characterized by a material hosting a collection of energy levels within its bandgap, allowing the cell to exploit photons with sub-bandgap energies in a two-step absorption process, thus improving the utilization of the solar spectrum. However, these intermediate levels are often regarded as an inherent source of supplementary recombination, although this harmful effect can in theory be counteracted by the use of concentrated light. We present here a novel, low-temperature characterization technique using concentrated light that reveals how the initially enhanced recombination in the IBSC is reduced so that its open-circuit voltage is completely recovered and reaches that of a conventional solar cell.

Linares, P. G., Martí, A., Antolín, E., Farmer, C. D., Ramiro, Í., Stanley, C. R., & Luque, A. (2012). Voltage recovery in intermediate band solar cells. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 98, 240-244.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2011.11.015

Share this post

Connect with us
Stay informed of our latest innovations, sign up to our newsletter.

How can we help you to bring your project together?