Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characterization of Multijunction Concentrator Solar Cells

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
High Concentrator Photovoltaics

Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the state of the art in instruments and methods for the characterization of concentrator multijunction (MJ) solar cells (MJSC). The current-voltage characteristic (I–V curve) under illumination and the spectral response or quantum efficiency (QE) are the main properties of a solar cell. The measurement of the I–V curve as a function of light concentration provides the most relevant information on cell performance such as peak efficiency or series resistance losses. Concentrator solar simulators should fulfill strict spatial uniformity and spectral requirements to provide accurate measurements. Precise spectral tunability is required to reduce errors in the measurement of latest-generation cell architectures, especially those not based on a germanium bottom cell with an excess of current. The main types of concentrator solar simulators are described, and advice on appropriate reference sensors and measurement precautions is provided. Spectral characterization under controlled simulator conditions is essential to analyze MJ cell behavior under the ever-varying spectral conditions found in real operation. The relevance of the QE is that it allows calculating the photocurrent generated by each subcell under a particular spectral irradiance and diagnosing possible malfunctioning of the different regions of the cell. Cell electroluminescence (EL) is also discussed as a useful tool for assessing defects. Spatially resolved EL can be used to analyze solar cell internal defects, sheet resistivity, or thermal inhomogeneity under steady concentrated light. Typical characterization set-ups, test procedures, and potential instrumentation issues are discussed for QE and EL.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Burdick J, Glatfelter T (1986) Sol Cells 18:301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Hovel HJ (1975) Semiconductors and semimetals. In: Solar cells, Vol 11. Academic Press, Inc., New York

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bertness KA, Kurtz SR, Friedman DJ, Kibbler AE, Kramer C, Olson JM (1994) Appl Phys Lett 65:989

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Luque AL, Viacheslav A (eds) (2007) Concentrator photovoltaics. Springer, Berlin, pp 67–87

    Google Scholar 

  5. Dimroth F, Grave M, Beutel P, Fiedeler U, Karcher C, Tibbits TND, Oliva E, Siefer G, Schachtner M, Wekkeli A, Bett AW, Krause R, Piccin M, Blanc N, Drazek C, Guiot E, Ghyselen B, Salvetat T, Tauzin A, Signamarcheix T, Dobrich A, Hannappel T, Schwarzburg K (2014) Prog Photovolt Res Appl 22:277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Meusel M, Baur C, Létay G, Bett Aw, Warta W, Fernandez E (2003) Prog Photovolt Res Appl 11:499 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Meusel M, Baur C, Siefer G, Dimroth F, Bett AW, Warta W (2006) Solar energy material solar cells, vol 90, p 3268

    Google Scholar 

  8. Siefer G, Baur C, Bett AW (2010) In: Proceedings of the 35th IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference PVSC, pp 000704–000707

    Google Scholar 

  9. Steiner MA, Geisz JF, Moriarty TE, France RM, McMahon WE, Olson JM, Kurtz SR, Friedman DJ (2013) IEEE J Photovolt 3:879

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Lim SH, Li J-J, Steenbergen EH, Zhang Y-H (2013) Prog Photovolt Res Appl 21:344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Steiner MA, Geisz JF (2012) Appl Phys Lett 100:251106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Steiner MA, Kurtz SR, Geisz JF, McMahon WE, Olson JM (2012) IEEE J Photovolt 2:424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kurtz SR, Emery K, Olson JM (1994) In: Conference record of the twenty fourth IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference—1994, 1994 IEEE first world conference photovoltaics energy conversion, vol 2, pp 1733–1737

    Google Scholar 

  14. Varshni YP (1967) Physica 34:149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Henning Helmers MS (2013) Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 116:144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Kinsey GS, Edmondson KM (2009) Prog Photovolt Res Appl 17:279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Garcia-Linares P, Dominguez C, Voarino P, Besson P, Baudrit M (2014) In: Proceedings of IEEE 40th photovoltaics specialists conference PVSC 2014, pp 3298–3303

    Google Scholar 

  18. Fuyuki T, Kondo H, Yamazaki T, Takahashi Y, Uraoka Y (2005) Appl Phys Lett 86:262108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Giesecke JA, Kasemann M, Warta W (2009) J Appl Phys 106:014907

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Würfel P, Trupke T, Puzzer T, Schäffer E, Warta W, Glunz SW (2007) J Appl Phys 101:123110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Hinken D, Ramspeck K, Bothe K, Fischer B, Brendel R (2007) Appl Phys Lett 91:182104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Kirchartz T, Rau U (2007) J Appl Phys 102:104510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Rau U (2007) Phys Rev B 76:085303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Zimmermann CG (2009) IEEE Electron Device Lett 30:825

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Zimmermann CG (2006) J Appl Phys 100:023714

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Zimmermann CG (2010) In: Proceedings of the 35th IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference PVSC, pp 001783–001787

    Google Scholar 

  27. Nesswetter H, Lugli P, Bett AW, Zimmermann CG (2013) IEEE J Photovolt 3:353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Zimmermann CG (2013) Appl Phys Lett 102:233506

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Nelson WB (2009) Accelerated testing: statistical models, test plans, and data analysis. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  30. Núñez N, Vázquez M, González JR, Algora C, Espinet P (2010) Microelectron Reliab 50:1880

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Espinet-Gonzalez P, Algora C, OrlandoV, Nunez N, Vazquez M, Bautista J, Xiugang H, Barrutia L, Rey-Stolle I, Araki K (2012) In: Proceedings of the IEEE 38th photovoltaics of specialists conference PVSC, vol 2, pp 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  32. Espinet-González P, Algora C, Núñez N, Orlando V, Vázquez M, Bautista J, Araki K (2014) Prog Photovolt Res Appl n/a

    Google Scholar 

  33. Bosco N, Sweet C, Ludowise M, Kurtz S (2012) IEEE J Photovolt 2:411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Garcia-Linares P, Dominguez C, Voarino P, Besson P, Baudrit M (2014) In: Proceedings of AIP conference. AIP Publishing, pp 110–113

    Google Scholar 

  35. Mabille L, Mangeant C, Baudrit M (2013) In: Proceedings of IEEE 39th photovoltaics specialists conference PVSC, pp 3416–3420

    Google Scholar 

  36. Kirchartz T, Rau U, Hermle M, Bett AW, Helbig A, Werner JH (2008) Appl Phys Lett 92:123502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Kirchartz T, Rau U, Kurth M, Mattheis J, Werner JH (2007) Thin Solid Films 515:6238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Roensch S, Hoheisel R, Dimroth F, Bett AW (2011) Appl Phys Lett 98:251113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Karcher C, Helmers H, Schachtner M, Dimroth F, Bett AW (2014) Prog Photovolt Res Appl 22:757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Friedman DJ, Olson JM, Kurtz S (2010) In: Luque A, Hegedus S (eds) Handbook of photovoltaics Science and engineering. Wiley, New York, pp 314–364

    Google Scholar 

  41. ASTM (2010) E2236-10 Standard test methods for measurement of electrical performance and spectral response of nonconcentrator multijunction photovoltaic cells and modules. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  42. IEC (2014) IEC/TS 62789 photovoltaic concentrator cell documentation, 1.0 edn. International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  43. ASTM (2008) G173-03 standard tables for reference solar spectral irradiances: direct normal and hemispherical on 37° tilted surface. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  44. Emery K, Meusel M, Beckert R, Dimroth F, Bett A, Warta W (2000) In: Conference record of the twenty-eighth IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference 2000, pp 1126–1130

    Google Scholar 

  45. Nishi D, Ueda T, Ohshima H, Hishikawa Y (2013) In: AIP conference proceedings. AIP Publishing, pp 133–137

    Google Scholar 

  46. IEC (2009) 60891 Photovoltaic devices—procedures for temperature and irradiance corrections to measured I-V characteristics. International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  47. Galleano R, Dunlop ED, Halton D (2004) In: Proceedings of 19th European photovoltaics solar energy conference. Paris, France

    Google Scholar 

  48. Kiehl J, Emery K, Andreas A (2004) In: Proceedings of 19th European photovoltaics solar energy conference and exhibition

    Google Scholar 

  49. IEC (2007) 60904-9 Photovoltaic devices—part 9: solar simulator performance requirements. International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  50. Pravettoni M, Galleano R, Dunlop ED, Kenny RP (2010) Meas Sci Technol 21:115901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Domínguez C, Antón I, Sala G, Askins S (2012) Prog Photovolt Res Appl n/a

    Google Scholar 

  52. Osterwald CR, Wanlass MW, Moriarty T, Steiner MA, Emery KA (2014) In: AIP conference proceedings. AIP Publishing, pp 149–153

    Google Scholar 

  53. Osterwald C, Wanlass M, Moriarty T, Steiner M, Emery K (2014) Effects of spectral error in efficiency measurements of GaInAs-based concentrator solar cells. NREL

    Google Scholar 

  54. Emery KA (1986) Sol Cells 18:251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Adelhelm R, Bücher K (1998) Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 50:185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Emery K (2011) In: Luque A, Hegedus S (eds) Handbook of photovoltaics science and engineering. Wiley, Chichester, pp 797–840

    Google Scholar 

  57. Keogh W, Cuevas A (1997) In: Proceedings of IEEE 26th photovoltaics specialists conference

    Google Scholar 

  58. King DL, Gee JM, Hansen BR (1988) In: Proceedings of IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference. Twente, Las Vegas

    Google Scholar 

  59. Ossenbrink HA, Zaaiman W, Bishop J (1993) In: Conference record of the twenty third IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference, pp 1194–1196

    Google Scholar 

  60. Siefer G, Baur C, Meusel M, Dimroth F, Bett AW, Warta W (2002) In: Conference record of the twenty-ninth IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference 2002, pp 836–839

    Google Scholar 

  61. Jungwirth D, Eigler LC, Espiritu S (2008) In: Proceedings of 33rd IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference, pp 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  62. Meusel M, Adelhelm R, Dimroth F, Bett Aw, Warta W (2002) Prog Photovolt Res Appl 10:243

    Google Scholar 

  63. Moriarty T, Jablonski J, Emery K (2012) In: Proceedings of 38th IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference PVSC, pp 001291–001295

    Google Scholar 

  64. Schachtner M, Hoheisel R, Sabuncuoglu F, Siefer G, Bett AW, Darou S, Spinner D (2011) Hamburg, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  65. Domínguez C, Antón I, Sala G (2008) Opt Express 16:14894

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Antón I, Domínguez C, Sala G, Martínez M, Díaz V, Álvarez JL, Alonso J (2005) In: Proceedings of 3rd international conference on solar concentrations for generation of electricity or hydrogen. NREL/CD-520-38172, Scottsdale

    Google Scholar 

  67. Domínguez C, Anton I, Sala G (2010) Prog Photovolt 18:272

    Google Scholar 

  68. Peharz G, Rodriguez JPF, Siefer G, Bett AW (2008) In: Proceedings of international conference on solar concentrations for generation of electricity, ICSC-5. Palm Desert

    Google Scholar 

  69. Hohl-Ebinger J, Siefer G, Warta W (2007) In: Proceedings of 22nd European photovoltaics solar energy cenference and exhibition. Milano, Italy, pp 425–428

    Google Scholar 

  70. Myers DR, Cannon TW (1997) In: AIP conference proceedings on National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) photovoltaics program review meeting. American Institute of Physics, Lakewood, pp 395–406

    Google Scholar 

  71. Cannon TW (1998) In: AIP conference proceedings of national center photovoltaics NCPV 15th program review meeting. American Institute of Physics, pp 623–628

    Google Scholar 

  72. Andreas AM, Myers DR (2008) In: Proceedings of SPIE. San Diego, p 70460I

    Google Scholar 

  73. Moriarty T, Emery K (1999), pp 301–311

    Google Scholar 

  74. Muller M, Deline C, Marion B, Kurtz S, Bosco N (2011) In: AIP conference proceedings. AIP Publishing, pp 331–335

    Google Scholar 

  75. Sala G (1989) In: Luque A (ed) Solar cells and optics for photovoltaic concentration. Adam Hilger, Bristol, pp 239–245

    Google Scholar 

  76. Mathur RK, Mehrotra DR, Mittal S, Dhariwal SR (1984) Sol Cells 11:175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Kinsey GS, Hebert P, Barbour KE, Krut DD, Cotal HL, Sherif RA (2008) Prog Photovolt Res Appl 16:503

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Wolf M, Rauschenbach H (1963) Adv Energy Convers 3:455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Virshup GF, Chung B-C, Ladle Ristow M, Kuryla MS, Brinker D (1990) In: Conference record of the twenty first IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference 1990, vol 1, pp 336–338

    Google Scholar 

  80. Aiken D, Stan M, Murray C, Sharps P, Hills J, Clevenger B (2002) In: Conference record of the twenty-ninth IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference, pp 828–831

    Google Scholar 

  81. Siefer G, Bett AW (2002) Prog Photovolt Res Appl n/a

    Google Scholar 

  82. Domínguez C, Victoria M, Herrero R, Askins S, Antón I, Sala G (2012) In: AIP conference proceedings. American Institute of Physics, pp 127–130

    Google Scholar 

  83. Garcia I, McMahon WE, Steiner MA, Geisz JF, Habte A, Friedman DJ (2015) IEEE J Photovolt 5:438

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Energía Solar, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    César Domínguez & Pablo García-Linares

Authors
  1. César Domínguez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pablo García-Linares
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to César Domínguez .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain

    Pedro Pérez-Higueras

  2. University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    Eduardo F. Fernández

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Domínguez, C., García-Linares, P. (2015). Characterization of Multijunction Concentrator Solar Cells. In: Pérez-Higueras, P., Fernández, E. (eds) High Concentrator Photovoltaics. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15039-0_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15039-0_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-15038-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-15039-0

  • eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation