Open AccessEfficiency enhancement in two-cell CIGS photovoltaic system with low-cost optical spectral splitter
Author(s) -
Carlo Maragliano,
Harry Apostoleris,
Matteo Bronzoni,
Stefano Rampino,
Marco Stefancich,
Matteo Chiesa
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.24.00a222
Subject(s) - photovoltaic system , copper indium gallium selenide solar cells , splitter , broadband , energy conversion efficiency , optics , materials science , optoelectronics , fresnel lens , solar cell , computer science , lens (geology) , electrical engineering , physics , engineering
Spectrum splitting represents a valid alternative to multi-junction solar cells for broadband light-to-electricity conversion. While this concept has existed for decades, its adoption at the industrial scale is still stifled by high manufacturing costs and inability to scale to large areas. Here we report the experimental validation of a novel design that could allow the widespread adoption of spectrum splitting as a low-cost approach to high efficiency photovoltaic conversion. Our system consists of a prismatic lens that can be manufactured using the same methods employed for conventional CPV optic production, and two inexpensive CuInGaSe(2) (CIGS) solar cells having different composition and, thus, band gaps. We demonstrate a large improvement in cell efficiency under the splitter and show how this can lead to substantial increases in system output at competitive cost using existing technologies.