Related papers: Exploring the Theoretical Limits of Efficiency in …
A simple thermodynamic argument related to a (weakly absorbing) finite dielectric slab illuminated by sunlight- originally suggested by Yablonovich- leads to the conclusion that the absorption in a dielectric can at best be increased by a…
The ideal band gap for a photovoltaic active layer for the solar spectrum is around 1.3 eV. However oxides with such values are rare. One of the most studied oxides to date as a photovoltaic active layer is the cuprous oxide Cu2O. Its band…
Compared to traditional pn-junction photovoltaics, hot carrier solar cells offer potentially higher efficiency by extracting work from the kinetic energy of photogenerated "hot carriers" before they cool to the lattice temperature. Hot…
Bifacial tandem cells promise to reduce three fundamental losses (above-bandgap, below bandgap, and the uncollected light between panels) inherent in classical single junction PV systems. The successive filtering of light through the…
The spin-split indirect bandgap in hybrid-halide perovskites provides a momentum-space realisation of a photon-ratchet intermediate band. Excited electrons thermalise to recombination-protected Rashba pockets offset in momentum space,…
Colored solar cells suffer from lower efficiency due to reflection and absorption losses by coatings. By studying different types of coatings on solar cells, the spectrum parameters impacting the solar cell efficiency were identified. A…
Polymer solar cells are considered as very promising candidates for development of photovoltaics of the future. They are cheap and easy to fabricate. However, up to now, they possess fundamental drawback: low effectiveness. In the most…
Polymer solar cells are considered as very promising candidates for development of photovoltaics of the future. They are cheap and easy to fabricate, however, up to now, they possess fundamental drawback, low effectiveness. In the most…
While silicon solar cells dominate global photovoltaic energy production, their continued improvement is hindered by the single junction limit. One potential solution is to use molecular singlet exciton fission to generate two electrons…
Tandem solar cells can better harness the energy of the solar spectrum. Chalcopyrite solar cells have drawn attention, being the only highly efficient devices with bandgap around 1.0 eV, suitable for bottom cells. In the quest for better…
The improvement of light absorption in Si/BeSe$_{0.41}$Te$_{0.59}$ heterostructures for solar cell applications is studied theoretically. First, using simple approaches we found that light absorption could be improved in a single…
The active layer microstructure of organic solar cells is critical to efficiency. By studying the photovoltaic properties of organic solar cell's microstructure, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the solar cell. A graph-based…
Panchromatic absorbing materials are widely regarded as a key strategy for enhancing solar energy utilization and photocurrent generation. However, in artificial molecular systems, broadening the absorption spectrum is often accompanied by…
An optoelectronic optimization was carried out for an AlGaAs solar cell containing (i) an n-AlGaAs absorber layer with a graded bandgap and (ii) a periodically corrugated Ag backreflector combined with localized ohmic Pd-Ge-Au backcontacts.…
The economic value of a photovoltaic installation depends upon both its lifetime and power conversion efficiency. Progress towards the latter includes mechanisms to circumvent the Shockley- Queisser limit, such as tandem designs and…
Photovoltaic (PV) cells have become one of the most promising renewable energy technologies. To make PV more competitive with incumbent technologies, higher power output densities are needed. One promising approach is to add bifaciality to…
Elementary physics of photovoltaic energy conversion in a two-level atomic PV is considered. We explain the conditions for which the Carnot efficiency is reached and how it can be exceeded! The loss mechanisms - thermalization, angle…
In this work, first principle calculations of Cu$_2$ZnSnS$_4$ (CZTS), Cu$_2$ZnGeS$_4$ (CZGS) and Cu$_2$ZnSiS$_4$ (CZSS) are performed to highlight the impact of the cationic substitution on the structural, electronic and optical properties…
A light source of selective functionalities of wavelengths, illumination periods, and intensities is desirable for investigating performance parameters as well as the quality of different layers and interfaces of solar cells. Conventional…
Solar energy is the most convenient and reliable energy source among all renewable energy resources and an efficient photovoltaic device is required to convert this energy into utilizable energy. Different types of solar cells (SC) are…