Energy Loss Analysis of Two-Terminal Tandem PV Systems under Realistic Operating Conditions—Revealing the Importance of Fill Factor Gains

The tandem PV technology can potentially increase the efficiency of PV modules over 30%. To design efficient modules, a quantification of the different losses is important. Herein, a model for quantifying the energy loss mechanisms in PV systems under real-world operating conditions with a level of detail back to the components and their...

Introducing a comprehensive physics-based modelling framework for tandem and other PV systems

We introduce a novel simulation tool capable of calculating the energy yield of a PV system based on its fundamental material properties and using self-consistent models. Thus, our simulation model can operate without measurements of a PV device. It combines wave and ray optics and a dedicated semiconductor simulation to model the...

Solar cells based on n⁺-AZO/p-BaSi₂ heterojunction: Advanced opto-electrical modelling and experimental demonstration

We performed advanced opto-electrical simulations on thin-film BaSi₂ solar cells. First, absorption spectra of BaSi₂-pn homojunction solar cells on Si substrate were calculated based on flat and/or pyramidally-textured surfaces, wherein 20-nm-thick n⁺-BaSi₂ was the topmost electron transport layer....

The role of heterointerfaces and subgap energy states on transport mechanisms in silicon heterojunction solar cells

The contact resistivity is a key parameter to reach high conversion efficiency in solar cells, especially in architectures based on the so-called carrier-selective contacts. The importance of contact resistivity relies on the evaluation of the quality of charge collection from the absorber bulk through adjacent electrodes. The electrode...