From 33% to 57% - an elevated potential of efficiency limit for indoor photovoltaics
The limiting power conversion efficiency (PCE) defines the theoretical maximum efficiency of photovoltaic devices. The classic Shockley-Queisser method has predicted 33% for a single p-n junction solar cell under AM1.5G illumination, but those for alternative photovoltaic materials and under other i...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2020, Vol.8 (4), p.1717-1723 |
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Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | The limiting power conversion efficiency (PCE) defines the theoretical maximum efficiency of photovoltaic devices. The classic Shockley-Queisser method has predicted 33% for a single p-n junction solar cell under AM1.5G illumination, but those for alternative photovoltaic materials and under other illumination conditions are not well-established. The emergence of indoor photovoltaics (IPVs) generates considerable interest in this regard. Here, we explore how thin-film photovoltaic materials with different bandgaps, absorption properties, and thicknesses, perform as IPV devices. We show a material bandgap of 1.82-1.96 eV to allow a limiting 51-57% PCE for a single-junction device under various indoor illuminations. In addition, typical organic photovoltaic thin films of ∼100 nm only give limiting PCEs of merely ∼28%, but >40% for a 200-250 nm thick device making use of the second thickness peak. We also present the limiting device parameters under different illuminance, serving as a comprehensive guide for emergent IPV development. The limiting PCE and the optimal
V
oc
depend only weakly on the indoor light source and the domestic illuminance (100-1000 lx). In contrast, the limiting
J
sc
increases linearly with the illuminance (∼11-13 μA cm
−2
/100 lx). Our study offers an explicit reference for evaluating the quality of an IPV device and a guideline for future material selection for efficient IPVs.
Indoor photovoltaics is of appealing application potential given the high limiting PCE of 57%. |
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ISSN: | 2050-7488 2050-7496 |
DOI: | 10.1039/c9ta11894b |