Objective
Here we aim at proving the feasibility of a new solar cell concept based on a semiconductor having an additional band within the band gap. Theoretical efficiency limit is of 63.1% to compare ordinary Shockely-Queisser solar cells, of 40.7%. This improved potential is because photocurrent can be produced at energy higher that the one of the photons absorbed. For it, two photons produce a single high-energy electron-hole pair. For the prototype fabrication, we shall follow two alternative paths: MBE precise nano-technology and cheap thin film nano-technology. A prototype solar cell will be fabricated. The R&D described here aims at fulfilling the EC long-term goal of cell cost <0.5. /Wp. We justify in the proposal that this goal cannot be achieved by market driven R&D only. Scientific breakthroughs are needed, as the one attempted here.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologynanotechnology
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivity
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energyphotovoltaic
- natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsphotons