John F. Geisz; William E. McMahon; Jeronimo Buencuerpo; Michelle S. Young; Michael Rienäcker; Adele C. Tamboli; Emily L. Warren
Characterization of multiterminal tandem photovoltaic devices and their subcell coupling Artikel
In: Cell Reports Physical Science, Bd. 2, Nr. 12, S. 100677, 2021, ISSN: 2666-3864.
@article{Geisz2021,
title = {Characterization of multiterminal tandem photovoltaic devices and their subcell coupling},
author = {John F. Geisz and William E. McMahon and Jeronimo Buencuerpo and Michelle S. Young and Michael Rienäcker and Adele C. Tamboli and Emily L. Warren},
doi = {10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100677},
issn = {2666-3864},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-12-22},
urldate = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Cell Reports Physical Science},
volume = {2},
number = {12},
pages = {100677},
abstract = {Three-terminal (3T) and four-terminal (4T) tandem photovoltaic (PV) devices using various materials have been increasingly reported in the literature, but measurement standards are lacking. Here, multiterminal devices measured as functions of two load variables are characterized unambiguously as functions of three device voltages or currents on hexagonal plots. We demonstrate these measurement techniques using two GaInP/GaAs tandem solar cells, with a middle contact between the two subcells, as example 3T devices with both series-connected and reverse-connected subcells. Coupling mechanisms between the subcells are quantified within the context of a simple equivalent optoelectronic circuit. Electrical and optical coupling mechanisms are most clearly revealed using coupled dark measurements. These measurements are sensitive enough to observe very small luminescent coupling from the bottom subcell to the top subcell in the prototype 3T device. Quick simplified measurement techniques are also discussed within the context of the complete characterization.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
W E McMahon; H Schulte-Huxel; J Buencuerpo; J F Geisz; M S Young; T R Klein; A C Tamboli; E L Warren
In: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Bd. 11, Nr. 4, S. 1078-1086, 2021.
@article{McMahon2021,
title = {Homogenous Voltage-Matched Strings Using Three-Terminal Tandem Solar Cells: Fundamentals and End Losses},
author = {W E McMahon and H Schulte-Huxel and J Buencuerpo and J F Geisz and M S Young and T R Klein and A C Tamboli and E L Warren},
doi = {10.1109/JPHOTOV.2021.3068325},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-07-01},
journal = {IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics},
volume = {11},
number = {4},
pages = {1078-1086},
abstract = {Strings constructed from three-terminal tandem (3TT) solar cells offer the performance benefits of voltage-matching (which reduces sensitivity to spectral variation), but without the subcell voltage isolation required by four-terminal cells. However, the circuitry for a 3TT string can become complex, making circuit analysis more challenging. Here, we illustrate the essential features of “homogenous” voltage-matched (VM) 3TT strings, for which all 3TT cells in the string are nominally identical (with the same design/doping sequence, such that they can be fabricated on the same manufacturing line). Several representative VM string configurations are explicitly considered, and used to describe the general construction of string I(V) curves. End losses intrinsic to these strings are discussed in detail, along with mitigation strategies to minimize their impact. Our analysis agrees with experimental results for eight-cell strings constructed from GaInP/GaAs 3TT devices.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
E Warren; M Rienaecker; M Schnabel; M Deceglie; R Peibst; A Tamboli; P Stradins
Operating principles of three-terminal solar cells Proceedings Article
In: IEEE, (Hrsg.): 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) (A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC 34th EU PVSEC), S. 2648-2650, Waikoloa Village, HI, USA, 2018, ISSN: 0160-8371.
@inproceedings{Warren2018c,
title = {Operating principles of three-terminal solar cells},
author = {E Warren and M Rienaecker and M Schnabel and M Deceglie and R Peibst and A Tamboli and P Stradins},
editor = {IEEE},
doi = {10.1109/PVSC.2018.8547611},
issn = {0160-8371},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-06-01},
booktitle = {2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) (A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC 34th EU PVSEC)},
pages = {2648-2650},
address = {Waikoloa Village, HI, USA},
abstract = {Most tandem solar cells are either two-terminal devices where the subcells are electrically connected in series or four terminal devices where each subcell is operated independently. There are trade-offs between the two integration schemes in terms of ease of fabrication, overall efficiency, and spectral sensitivity. Three-terminal (3T) tandem cells can combine the best aspects of both integration schemes if designed properly. Using a 3T design based on an interdigitated back contact (IBC) Si device with conductive front surface, combined with a wider bandgap III-V top cell, we discuss the operation of three terminal tandems in detail. We present technology computer aided design (TCAD) device physics simulations to describe trends in performance. We show that this type of 3T device can provide a robust operating mechanism to efficiently capture the solar spectrum without the need to current match sub-cells or fabricate complicated metal interconnects between cells.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}