Evaluation of the efficiency potential of intermediate band solar cells based on thin-film chalcopyrite materials

This paper discusses the potential of the intermediate band solar cell (IBSC) concept to improve the efficiency of thin-film chalcopyrite solar cells. The results show that solar cells based on Cu Ga S 2 , with a radiative limiting efficiency of 46.7%, exhibit the highest potential. A simple method for the identification of transition elements that when incorporated in Cu Ga S 2 could possibly introduce an intermediate band is also described. The IBSC concept is also applied under the assumptions that thin-film solar cells are not to be operated under concentrated light and that a non-negligible contribution of nonradiative recombination exists.