Boosting Solar Cell Photovoltage via Nanophotonic Engineering

Cui, Y. Cui; Van Dam, D. Van Dam; Mann, S. A. Mann; Van Hoof, N. J.J. Van Hoof; Van Veldhoven, P. J. Van Veldhoven; Garnett, Erik C. Garnett; Bakkers, E.P.A.M.; Haverkort, J. E.M. Haverkort

Boosting Solar Cell Photovoltage via Nanophotonic Engineering

Journal article (2016)

Authors

Y. Cui Cui Eindhoven University of Technology

D. Van Dam Van Dam Eindhoven University of Technology

S. A. Mann Mann AMOLF

N. J.J. Van Hoof Van Hoof Eindhoven University of Technology

P. J. Van Veldhoven Van Veldhoven Eindhoven University of Technology

Erik C. Garnett Garnett AMOLF

E.P.A.M. Bakkers QN/Bakkers Lab , Eindhoven University of Technology

J. E.M. Haverkort Haverkort Eindhoven University of Technology

Research Group

QN/Bakkers Lab

Photovoltaics Nanowires Nanophotonics Open circuit voltage Photovoltage

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Published Date

12-10-2016

Language

English

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Research Group

QN/Bakkers Lab

Abstract

Approaching the theoretically limiting open circuit voltage (V_oc) of solar cells is crucial to optimize their photovoltaic performance. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that nanostructured layers can achieve a fundamentally larger Fermi level splitting, and thus a larger V_oc, than planar layers. By etching tapered nanowires from planar indium phosphide (InP), we directly compare planar and nanophotonic geometries with the exact same material quality. We show that the external radiative efficiency of the nanostructured layer at 1 sun is increased by a factor 14 compared to the planar layer, leading to a 70 mV enhancement in V_oc. The higher voltage arises from both the enhanced outcoupling of photons, which promotes radiative recombination, and the lower active material volume, which reduces bulk recombination. These effects are generic and promise to enhance the efficiency of current record planar solar cells made from other materials as well.