Energy Yield Limits for Single-Junction Solar Cells
Peters IM, Buonassisi T (2018)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2018
Journal
Book Volume: 2
Pages Range: 1160-1170
Journal Issue: 6
DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2018.03.009
Abstract
“Energy yield” is a key performance metric that describes generated electricity (kWh) in a realistic operating environment, with significance beyond that of the lab-measured power conversion efficiency. Herein, we present fundamental energy yield limits based on 2015 global satellite data for solar cells with various band-gaps, including established technologies such as Si and CdTe and emerging materials such as perovskites. Based on an adapted detailed-balance model with experimental validation, we derive an empirical relation that allows approximating harvesting efficiencies from standard testing condition efficiencies. This equation provides a straightforward way to calculate energy yield for any new technology and enables a fair comparison of lab-measured devices with different band-gaps. We find that the ideal band-gap for maximizing energy yield is 1.35 eV. We show that harvesting efficiencies correlate with Köppen-Geiger climate zones, which indicates that results obtained in a given climate can be translated to other regions with similar climate. “Energy yield” is a key metric for solar cells and describes generated electricity (kWh) in a realistic operating environment. The significance of energy yield goes beyond that of the conventional lab-measured conversion efficiency. A simple translation between those metrics, however, is missing. In this paper we present fundamental energy yield limits calculated from 2015 global satellite data for various solar cells, including established technologies such as Si and CdTe and emerging materials such as perovskites. Based on a detailed-balance model with experimental validation, we derive an empirical relation that allows a straightforward approximation of energy yield from lab-measured efficiencies for any solar cell material. The relation also enables a fair comparison between solar cells with different band-gaps. Furthermore, we show that harvesting efficiencies correlate with Köppen-Geiger climate zones, allowing translation of solar cell performance between regions with similar climate. In this paper, we present energy yield limits for five solar cell technologies, including Si, CdTe, GaAs, and perovskites. Furthermore, we derive an empirical relation that allows a straightforward approximation of energy yield from lab-measured efficiencies for any solar cell material. The relation also enables a fair comparison between solar cells with different band-gaps. Moreover, we show that harvesting efficiencies correlate with Köppen-Geiger climate zones, allowing translation of solar cell performance between regions with similar climate.
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United States (USA) (US)How to cite
APA:
Peters, I.M., & Buonassisi, T. (2018). Energy Yield Limits for Single-Junction Solar Cells. Joule, 2(6), 1160-1170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2018.03.009
MLA:
Peters, Ian Marius, and Tonio Buonassisi. "Energy Yield Limits for Single-Junction Solar Cells." Joule 2.6 (2018): 1160-1170.
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