Objective
The GalnP/GaAs/Ge tandem triple junction cells are the highest efficiency photovoltaic (PV) devices and are likely to be the first of the "Third Generation" cells to enter the terrestrial PV market in concentrator applications. They employ three different solar cells stacked on top of each other to capture and convert a wider spectral range of solar radiation to electricity. The commercial viability of concentrator systems depends crucially on the use of the highest efficiency cells. The Strain-Balanced Quantum Well Solar Cell (SB-QWSC) is an innovative, nanostructured cell, pioneered by the Quantum Photovoltaic Group (QPG) at Imperial College, which has the potential to enhance the efficiency of the triple junction cell significantly by replacing the GaAs cell. The SB-QWSC increases tandem efficiency by reducing the absorption band-gap of GaAs resulting in better utilisation of the solar spectrum. Recent experimental and theoretical work based onphotoluminescence (PL), photoconductivity (PC) and electroluminescence (EL) studies have revealed that the Quasi-Fermi Level Separation (QFLS) in single quantum well (SQW) devices is smaller than expected in both the dark and the light. This implies lower recombination and hence enhanced efficiency. Furthermore, the SB-QWSC dark currents at concentrator current levels show ideality factor n=1. This suggests that minimum non-radiative recombination levels can be achieved in SB-QWSC. Finally the exciting possibility of efficiency enhancement by photon recycling can also be considered as the unavoidable radiative energy would be re-absorbed in other wells in a light-trapping environment. There is therefore a great need to clarify the mechanisms behind the general efficiency enhancement in the SB-QWSC. This will be done by extending the recent studies on QFLS in SQW devices under light illumination to SB-QWSCs.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes recycling
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences meteorology solar radiation
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
LONDON
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.