CdTe vs. GaAs solar cells - A modeling case study with preliminary experimental results

Alexander P. Kirk, Michael J. Dinezza, Shi Liu, Xin Hao Zhao, Yong-Hang Zhang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

A modeling study has been undertaken to compare CdTe versus GaAs solar cells in order to explore and forecast the possible evolution of CdTe solar cell performance while using GaAs solar cells as a benchmark. A complementary experimental comparison study of two almost identical MgCdTe/CdTe/MgCdTe and AlGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs double-heterostructure (DH) samples grown by MBE guided the solar cell modeling. Both DH samples give strong photoluminescence at room temperature (RT) while time-resolved photoluminescence measurements reveal a 50 ns carrier lifetime at RT for the MgCdTe/CdTe/MgCdTe DH sample. The modeling results based on these experimental data indicate that CdTe solar cells can achieve efficiency in the range of 24-27%, depending on the carrier lifetime, under the AM1.5G spectrum.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication39th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2013
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages2515-2517
Number of pages3
ISBN (Print)9781479932993
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event39th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2013 - Tampa, FL, United States
Duration: Jun 16 2013Jun 21 2013

Publication series

NameConference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference

Other

Other39th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityTampa, FL
Period6/16/136/21/13

Keywords

  • CdTe
  • GaAs
  • Modeling
  • Solar cell

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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