Exploration of graded indium gallium nitride heterojunction solar cells for laterally integrated, spectrally-split solar cell arrays.
2011-12
Loading...
View/Download File
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
Exploration of graded indium gallium nitride heterojunction solar cells for laterally integrated, spectrally-split solar cell arrays.
Authors
Published Date
2011-12
Publisher
Type
Thesis or Dissertation
Abstract
The ternary group III/group V direct bandgap semiconductor alloy system of
indium gallium nitride is emerging as a material with great potential for the production of
highly efficient, low cost terrestrial photovoltaic devices. Indium gallium nitride alloy is
a direct bandgap semiconductor with an energy gap in the range of 0.7 eV to 3.4 eV
depending on the alloy composition. Here we explore a unique photovoltaic device
design based on indium gallium nitride single-junction pin graded heterojunction cells
arranged laterally and illuminated by a spectrally-split solar spectrum. Mathematical
models for photon absorption, charge carrier generation, total charge carrier
concentrations, and charge carrier flow are derived and suitable software tools are
developed, implementing these equations as well as power density and efficiency
calculations to simulate the photovoltaic device operation under maximum power point
conditions. Efficiencies of the individual cells in the array differ significantly with the
largest bandgap pin producing the highest fill factor and energy conversion efficiency.
The small bandgap n-doped layer contributes the largest amount of photogenerated
electron-hole pairs, and increasing the width of this layer leads to significantly larger
efficiencies. Overall, the photovoltaic device yields efficiencies competitive with
existing technologies. Modifications to the design can be incorporated into the software to explore additional methods of increasing efficiencies.
Keywords
Description
University of Minnesota. M.S. thesis. December 2011. Major: Civil Engineering. Advisor: Paul Ruden,. 1 computer file (PDF); vii, 124 pages, appendices A-D.
Related to
Replaces
License
Series/Report Number
Funding information
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
Previously Published Citation
Suggested citation
Krohn, Jennifer Jo. (2011). Exploration of graded indium gallium nitride heterojunction solar cells for laterally integrated, spectrally-split solar cell arrays.. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/120091.
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.