Field Performance versus Standard Test Condition Efficiency of Tandem Solar Cells and the Singular Case of Perovskites/Silicon Devices

by Olivier Dupré, Björn Niesen, Stefaan De Wolf, Christophe Ballif
Year: 2018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.7b02277

Bibliography

Dupré, Olivier, Björn Niesen, Stefaan De Wolf, and Christophe Ballif. "Field Performance versus Standard Test Condition Efficiency of Tandem Solar Cells and the Specific Case of Perovskites/Silicon Devices." The journal of physical chemistry letters (2018).​​​

Abstract

​Multijunction cells may o​ffer a cost-effective route to boost the efficiency of industrial photovoltaics. For any technology to be deployed in the field, its performance under actual operating conditions is extremely important. In this perspective, we evaluate the impact of spectrum, light intensity, and module temperature variations on the efficiency of tandem devices with crystalline silicon bottom cells with a particular focus on perovskite top cells. We consider devices with different efficiencies and calculate their energy yields using field data from Denver. We find that annual losses due to differences between operating conditions and standard test conditions are similar for single-junction and four-terminal tandem devices. The additional loss for the two-terminal tandem con- figuration caused by current mismatch reduces its performance ratio by only 1.7% when an optimal top cell bandgap is used. Additionally, the unusual bandgap temperature dependence of perovskites is shown to have a positive, compensating effect on current mismatch.

Keywords

tandem solar cells Field Performance Perovskites/Silicon Devices