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DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH EFFICIENCY SOLAR CELLS FOR CONCENTRATION APPLICATION

Research Project

Project/Area Number 08650352
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field 電力工学・電気機器工学
Research InstitutionToyota Technological Institute

Principal Investigator

MINGJU Yang  TOYOTA TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE,POST DOCTOR FELLOW, 大学院・工学研究科, PD研究員 (50278397)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) YAMAGUCHI Masafumi  TOYOTA TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE,SEMICONDUCTOR LABORATORY,PROFESSOR, 大学院・工学研究科, 教授 (50268033)
Project Period (FY) 1996 – 1997
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 1997)
Budget Amount *help
¥2,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,000,000)
Fiscal Year 1997: ¥500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000)
Fiscal Year 1996: ¥1,500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000)
KeywordsSOLAR CELL / GaAs / InGaAs / InGaP / CONCENTRATION / MULTI QUANTUM WELL / TANDEM CELL / CONVERSION EFFICIENCY / 光-電気変換効率 / Si / 量子井戸 / ハイブリット
Research Abstract

Generation of high output current from a photovoltaic cell require a low band gap to maximize absorption in the semiconductor material, whereas high output voltage requires a high band gap to maximize Fermi level separation. The optimal output is therefore a particular band gap, which is a compromise between conflicting requirements upon current and voltage. The aim of the multi Quantum Well (MQW) Solar Cell was to eliminated this compromise by allowing the optimum current and voltage to be determined separately. Although these parameters cannot in practice be made independent, it is hoped that an MQW cell can be made to be more efficient than a traditional cell made of material of a single band gap. However, the quality of the active layrs in MQW cells is degraded by the lattice mismatch between the GaAs and InGaAs layrs. Optimizing the stress in this configuration, the conversion efficiency has been improved to 18% at the 1sun AM1.5 conditions. MQW GaAs/In_<0.19>Ga_<0.81>As solar cel … More ls have been measured under low concentration levels (1-10suns). An efficiency of 22% has been obtained at a ratio of 4suns as opposed to 18% under 1sun AM1.5 conditions. We explain the results in terms of an enhancement in minority-carrier lifetime under concentration. Even when the concentration ratio is low, the high-injection regime can be achieved since the carrier concentration in the intrinsic layr is very low. The existence of a high concentration of defects in the base layr has been observed by the DLTS analysis. Enhancement of the minority-carrier lifetime under concentration is thought to be due to recombination probability saturation of recombination centers with high-injection of minority carriers.
In order to transfer the high efficiency cell design for 1sun operation into a concentrator design, the photovoltaic properties of InGaP/GaAs tandem solar cells under concentration have been investigated. A high efficiency of 31.2% has been obtained for the InGaP/GaAs tandem solar cell under 5.1suns of AM1.5 illumination (Jsc=70.28mA/cm^2, Voc=2.59V,FF=0.874). However, the efficiency of the tandem cell is limited due to the reduction in the fill factor as the light intensity increases. The results show that very high peak current, Jp of the tunnel diode is not only needed but also the valley current, Jv, of the tunnel diode is necessary for high concentration, which should be greater than the short current, Jsc under concentration. The efficiency predications of the InGaP/GaAs tandem cell for concentration applications have been carried out, the results shows that to reduce the series resistance to lower than 0.01OMEGA/cm^2 for use under high concentratios (100-500suns). A conversion efficiency of over 33% will be obtained at 500X if this can be achieved. The temperature properties of the InGaP/GaAs tandem cell are very good even at relatively high temperatures 1sun condition. However, it is expected that at a high temperatures, current mismatch will give a significant effect on the efficiency under concentration, which should be considered in the design of concentrator cells. Less

Report

(3 results)
  • 1997 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 1996 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (27 results)

All Other

All Publications (27 results)

  • [Publications] M-J.Yang: "Analysis of Heteroepitaxial AlGaAs/Si Tandem Solar Cell for Concentrator Applications" Proc.25th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference. 105-108 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang: "Photoluminescence analysis of InGap top cells for high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells" Solar Energy Material and Solar Cells. 45.4. 331-339 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M.Yamaguchi: "Radiation-Resistance of InGaP Solar Cells" Proceeding of the 25th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference. 163-166 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang: "Propertise of Si,GaAs-on-Ge and GaAs-on-Si Solar Cells under Concentrated Sunlight" Technical Digest of 9th Photovoltaic Science and Engineering. 789-790 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ming-ju Yang: "PROPERTIES OF GAAS/INGAAS QUANTUM WELL SOLAR CELLS UNDER LOW CONCENTRATION RATIOS" 26th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference. (in press). (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Ming-juYang: "A 3KW PV-THERML SYSTEM FOR HOME USE" 26th IEEEPhotovoltaic Specialist Conference. (印刷中). (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang, S.J.Taylor and M.Yamaguchi :""Analysis of Heteroepitaxial AlGaAs/Si Tandem Solar Cell for Concentrator Applications" Proc.25th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference. 105-108 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang, M.Yamaguchi, T.Takamoto, E.Ikeda, H.Kurita and M.Ohmori :""Photoluminescence analysis of InGaP top cells for high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells"" Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. 45, [4]. 331-339 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] N.Kojima, M.Okamoto, S.J.Taylor, M-J.Yang, M.Yamaguchi, K.Takahashi and T.Unno: ""Analysis of Impurity Diffusion from Tunnel Diodes and Optimization for Operation in Tandem Cells"" Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. 50. 237-242 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang, M.Imaizumi, M.Yamaguchi, K.Izumi and S.Matsunaga: ""Properties of Si, GaAs-on-Ge and GaAs-on-Si Solar Cells under Concentrated Sunlight"" Technical Digest of the 9th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference, Nov.11-15. 789-790 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M.Okamoto, N.Kojima, S.J.Taylor, M-J.Yang, M.Yamaguchi, K.Takahashi and T.Unno.: ""Analysis of Impurity Diffusion from Tunnel Diodes and Optimization for Operation in Tandem Cells"" Technical Digest of the 9th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference, Nov.11-15. 777-778 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang, M.Yamaguchi, K.Izumi and S.Matsunaga: ""A HYBRID PV-THERMAL CONCENTRATOR SYSTEM FOR TERRESTRIAL APPLICATION"" 14th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition. (in press). (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] P.R.Griffin, J.Barnes, K.W.J.Barham, I.Cabodi, M.Mazzer, J.S.Roberts, R.Gray, G.Hill, M.A.Pate, A.Marti, J.C.Marotok, R.F.Reyna, L.Cuadra, M.Yang, M.Yamaguchi: ""A METHOD FOR OPTIMISING STRAINED GaAs/InGaAs QUANTUM WELL SOLAR CELLS AND PRELIMINARY RESULTS UNDER CONCENTRATION"" 14th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition. (in press). (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang and M.Yamaguchi: ""Properties of GaAs/InGaAs Quantum Well Solar Cells Under Low Concentrated Ratio"" 26th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference. ( in press). (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang, and M.Yamaguchi, H.Izumi, M.Sato, S.Matsunaga, T.Takamoto: ""A3KW PV-Thermal System for Home Use"" 26th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference. ( in press). (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang: "Analysis of Heteroepitaxial AlGaAs/Si Tandem Solar Cell for Concentrator Applications" Proc.25th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference. 105-108 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang: "Photoluminescence analysis of InGaP top cells for high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells" Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. 45・4. 331-339 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] M.Yamaguchi: "Radiation-Resistance of InGaP Solar Cells" Proceeding of the 25th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference. 163-166 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] M-J.Yang: "Propertise of Si,GaAs-on-Ge and GaAs-on-Si Solar Cells under Concentrated Sunlight" Technical Digest of 9th Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference. 789-790 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Ming-ju Yang: "PROPERTIES OF GAAS/INGAAS QUANTUM WELL SOLAR CELLS UNDER LOW CONCENTRATION RATIOS" 26th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference. (in press). (1997)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Ming-ju Yang: "A 3KW PV-THERMAL SYSTEM FOR HOME USE" 26th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference. (印刷中). (1997)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] M.Yang,: ""Photoluminescence Analysis of InGaP Top for High-efficiency Multi-junction Solar Cells"" Proceedings of 13th Eurpean Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference. (印刷中). (1997)

    • Related Report
      1996 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] M.Yang: ""Analysis of Heteroepitaxial AlGaAs/Si Tandem Solar Cells for concentrator application"" Proceeding of the 25th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference. 105-108 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1996 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] M.Yang: ""Propertise of Si,GaAs-on-Ge and GaAs-on-Si Solar Cells under Concentrated Sunlight"" Technical Digest of 9th Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference. 789-790 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1996 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] M.Yamaguchi: ""Analysis of Radiation Damage to Silicon Solar Cells under High-Fluence Electron Irradiation"" Jpn.J.Appl.Phys.Vol.35. 3918-3922 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1996 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] M.Yamaguchi: ""High-energy and high-fluence proton irradation effects in silicon solar cells"" J.Appl.Phys.Vol.80. 4916-4920 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1996 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] M.Yamaguchi: ""Radiation-Resistance of InGaP Solar Cells"" Proceeding of the 25th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference. 163-166 (1996)

    • Related Report
      1996 Annual Research Report

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Published: 1996-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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