The feasibility of high-efficiency InAs/GaAs quantum dot intermediate band solar cells

In recent years, all the operating principles of intermediate band behaviour have been demonstrated in InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) solar cells. Having passed this hurdle, a new stage of research is underway, whose goal is to deliver QD solar cells with efficiencies above those of state-of-the-art sin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy materials and solar cells 2014-11, Vol.130, p.225-233
Main Authors: Mellor, A., Luque, A., Tobías, I., Martí, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation
Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering
Electrical power engineering
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Gallium arsenide
Gallium arsenides
High efficiency
Indium arsenides
Intermediate band
Light trapping
Natural energy
Photoelectric conversion
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaic conversion
Quantum dot
Quantum dots
Solar cells
Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells
Solar energy
Trapping
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Summary:In recent years, all the operating principles of intermediate band behaviour have been demonstrated in InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) solar cells. Having passed this hurdle, a new stage of research is underway, whose goal is to deliver QD solar cells with efficiencies above those of state-of-the-art single-gap devices. In this work, we demonstrate that this is possible, using the present InAs/GaAs QD system, if the QDs are made to be radiatively dominated, and if absorption enhancements are achieved by a combination of increasing the number of QDs and light trapping. A quantitative prediction is also made of the absorption enhancements required, suggesting that a 30 fold increase in the number of QDs and a light trapping enhancement of 10 are sufficient. Finally, insight is given into the relative merits of absorption enhancement via increasing QD numbers and via light trapping. •Future research on quantum dot (QD) solar cells must deliver high efficiency devices.•The feasibility of this is assessed using a realistic detailed balance study.•High efficiencies require more QDs and optical light trapping.•With no light trapping, 1000 more QD are required compared to present cells.•With a 10 fold optical absorption enhancement, 30 times more QD are required.
ISSN:0927-0248
1879-3398
DOI:10.1016/j.solmat.2014.07.006