Abstract
We have theoretically investigated the characteristics of hot carrier solar cell operation in detail. We have found that among the two channels of energy loss of photo-generated carriers: emission from the hot absorber and entropy increase caused by the energy flow from the hot absorber to the cold outside, the former is negligible and the latter restricts the conversion efficiency under a practical condition of carrier thermalization time of 1 ns. To suppress the entropy increase for higher conversion efficiency, a smaller effective mass of photo-excited electrons is needed, as well as more intense irradiation and a higher carrier temperature. When photo-excited holes are completely thermalized whereas electrons are still hot, the entropy increase is significantly suppressed. In consequence, the conversion efficiency is improved compared to the values for hot electrons and hot holes, despite more remarkable energy dissipation from the holes to phonons, when the effective mass of electrons is much smaller than that of holes.
Keywords: Hot carriers, Modeling, Fundamentals
Keywords: Hot carriers, Modeling, Fundamentals
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the Twenty second European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (22E-PVSEC) |
Subtitle of host publication | Proc. on CD-ROM |
Editors | G. Willecke, Heinz Ossenbrink, Peter Helm |
Pages | 187-191 |
Number of pages | 5 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 3-936338-22-1 |
Publication status | Published - 7 Sept 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference 2007 - Milan, Italy Duration: 3 Sept 2007 → 7 Sept 2007 https://www.eupvsec.org/index.php/conference/authors-workstation?view=article&id=287&catid=31 (Evidence of Peer Review) |
Conference
Conference | 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference 2007 |
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Abbreviated title | 22E-PVSEC |
Country/Territory | Italy |
City | Milan |
Period | 3/09/07 → 7/09/07 |
Internet address |
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