RT Journal Article
T1 Ultra-efficient intrinsic-Vertical-Tunnel-Junction (i-VTJ) structures for next-generation concentrator solar cells
A1 Seoane Iglesias, Natalia
A1 Fernández Fernández, Eduardo
A1 Almonacid, Florencia
A1 García Loureiro, Antonio Jesús
K1 Vertical solar cells
K1 Intrinsic semiconductors
K1 Micro-scaling
K1 Concentrator photovoltaics
K1 Ultra-high light intensities
AB The efficiency of solar cells can be enhanced by increasing the light intensity and/or the number of bandgaps of the structure. However, current solar cells cannot fully exploit these two factors because of various critical drawbacks. Here, we show a novel microscale, that is, side ≈ 0.5 mm, vertical solar cell structure that does not suffer the series resistance and bandgap limitations issues of current devices. The preliminary structures investigated show extreme efficiencies, >40%, at ultrahigh concentration factors of 15 000 suns. In addition, future designs with a better bandgap configuration are expected to deliver cells with efficiencies far above 50% at extreme light intensities. This early design offers a fast and reliable route to push the efficiency towards the maximum solar conversion limit and represents a promising way to develop new-generation ultraefficient and low-cost concentrator photovoltaic systems.
PB John Wiley & Sons
SN 1099-159X
YR 2020
FD 2020-11-26
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/38770
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/38770
LA eng
NO E. F. Fernández and F. Almonacid thank the Spanish Economy Ministry and FEDER funds received under the project ENE2016-78251-R. N, Seoane and A. J. García Loureiro thank Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and FEDER funds (TIN2016-76373-P) and the Xunta de Galicia and FEDER funds (GRC 2014/008). N. Seoane and E.F. Fernández also thank the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (RYC-2017-23312, RYC-2017-21910).
DS Minerva
RD 24 abr 2026