Comparison of ideal solar cell concepts using infield data

Abstract

The work done in this thesis has been focused on the comparison of the power production in the ideal single junction cell, intermediate band solar cell, the unconstrained tandem cell, and the area de-coupled 2-terminal constrained tandem cell, using di erent band gaps. The efficiency and production for each of the concepts have been calculated based mathematical framework previously established, using temperature and irradiation data collected from Kjøita in Kristiansand, using MatLab. The monthly and annual power production for each of the concepts has been calculated and compared. It has been found that the intermediate band solar cell with a band gap optimized for the Am1.5 spectrum, has an annual production 3.6% and 3% higher than the 2-terminal and 4-terminal double junction solar cells with band gaps optimized for Am1.5. Also, the intermediate band solar, 2-terminal and 4-terminal double was shown to have an annual production 29%, 26.5%, and 26.8% higher, respectively, than the single junction cell with Am1.5 optimized band gap.