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arXiv · 1904.06033

Maximum efficiencies and performance limiting factors of inorganic and hybrid perovskite solar cells

Yoshitsune Kato·Shohei Fujimoto·Masayuki Kozawa·Hiroyuki Fujiwara
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Abstract

The Shockley and Queisser limit, a well-known efficiency limit for a solar cell, is based on unrealistic physical assumptions and its maximum limit is seriously overestimated. To understand the power loss mechanisms of record-efficiency cells, a more rigorous approach is necessary. Here, we have established a new formalism that can accurately predict absolute performance limits of solar cells in conventional thin film form. In particular, we have estimated the maximum efficiencies of 13 well-studied solar cell materials [GaAs, InP, CdTe, a-Si:H, CuInSe2, CuGaSe2, CuInGaSe2, Cu2ZnSnSe4, Cu2ZnSnS4, Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4, Cu2ZnGeSe4, CH3NH3PbI3, HC(NH2)2PbI3] in a 1-um-thick physical limit. Our calculation shows that over 30% efficiencies can be achieved for absorber layers with sharp absorption edges (GaAs, InP, CdTe, CuInGaSe2, Cu2ZnGeSe4). Nevertheless, many record-efficiency polycrystalline solar cells, including hybrid perovskites, are limited by open-circuit voltage and fill-factor losses. We show that the maximum conversion efficiencies described here present new alternative limits that can predict the power generation of real-world solar cells.

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Yoshitsune Kato, Shohei Fujimoto, Masayuki Kozawa, Hiroyuki Fujiwara. 2019-07-30. Maximum efficiencies and performance limiting factors of inorganic and hybrid perovskite solar cells. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevapplied.12.024039

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