Hot carrier cells: an example of third generation photovoltaics

G. Conibeer

doi:10.1117/12.916520

21 February 2012 Hot carrier cells: an example of third generation photovoltaics

G. Conibeer

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8256, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices; 82560Z (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.916520
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Third generation photovoltaic approaches aim to use multiple energy level approaches to circumvent the Schockley- Queisser limit but to still allow use of thin film approaches. Hence they offer significant potential to reduce cost per Watt and move solar cell technologies towards the levels necessary to achieve LCOE values that give grid parity. The Hot Carrier solar cell is a Third Generation device that aims to tackle the carrier thermalisation loss after absorption of above band-gap photons. It is theoretically capable of extremely high efficiencies, 65% under one sun, very close to the maximum thermodynamic limit. However, it relies on slowing the rate of carrier cooling in the absorber from ps to ns. This very tough challenge can perhaps be addressed through nanostructures and modulation of phonon dispersions. The mechanisms of carrier cooling are discussed and methods to interrupt this process investigated to give a list of properties required of an absorber material. Quantum well or nano-well structures and large mass difference compounds with phonon band gaps are discussed in the context of enhancing phonon bottleneck and hence slowing carrier cooling. Materials for these structures are discussed and potential combined structures to maximize phonon bottleneck and slow carrier cooling are suggested.

Citation Download Citation

G. Conibeer "Hot carrier cells: an example of third generation photovoltaics", Proc. SPIE 8256, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices, 82560Z (21 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.916520

Access the abstract

PROCEEDINGS
13 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

CITATIONS

Cited by 4 scholarly publications.

Explore citations on Lens.org

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Phonons

Acoustics

Photons

Absorption

Indium nitride

Solar energy

Chemical elements

Show All Keywords

RELATED CONTENT

Solar cell with charged quantum dots optimization for high...
Proceedings of SPIE (May 28 2013)

Hot carrier solar cell absorbers: materials, mechanisms and nanostructures
Proceedings of SPIE (October 17 2014)

Synchrotron-based spectroscopy for solar energy conversion
Proceedings of SPIE (September 05 2015)

Hot carrier solar cell absorbers investigation of carrier cooling...
Proceedings of SPIE (September 08 2015)

Modeling carrier relaxation in hot carrier solar cells
Proceedings of SPIE (February 21 2012)

Microscopic theory and numerical simulation of quantum well solar cells
Proceedings of SPIE (February 15 2010)

Computational design of the intermediate band solar cells based on...
Proceedings of SPIE (September 11 2008)

Subscribe to Digital Library

Receive Erratum Email Alert

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years