Open AccessSimulation and partial prototyping of an eight‐junction holographic spectrum‐splitting photovoltaic module
Author(s) -
Darbe Sunita,
Escarra Matthew D.,
Warmann Emily C.,
Atwater Harry A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
energy science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.638
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2050-0505
DOI - 10.1002/ese3.445
Subject(s) - materials science , optoelectronics , optics , holography , grating , concentrator , photovoltaic system , photovoltaics , diffraction efficiency , stack (abstract data type) , diffraction , band gap , semiconductor , diffraction grating , solar cell , physics , computer science , engineering , electrical engineering , programming language
Spectrum‐splitting photovoltaics incorporate optical elements to separate sunlight into frequency bands, which can be targeted at solar cells with bandgaps optimized for each sub‐band. Here, we present the design of a holographic diffraction grating‐based spectrum‐splitting photovoltaic module integrating eight III‐V compound semiconductor cells as four dual‐junction tandems. Four stacks of simple sinusoidal volume phase holographic diffraction gratings each simultaneously split and concentrate sunlight onto cells with bandgaps spanning the solar spectrum. The high‐efficiency cells get an additional performance boost from concentration incorporated using a single or a compound trough concentrator, providing up to 380X total concentration. Cell bandgap optimization incorporated an experimentally derived bandgap‐dependent external radiative efficiency function. Simulations show 33.2% module conversion efficiency is achievable. One grating stack is experimentally fabricated and characterized.