Modeled performance of monolithic, 3-terminal InP/Ga(0.47)In(0.53)As concentrator solar cells as a function of temperature and concentration ratio

Using measured device parameters from a monolithic three-terminal In/GaInAs (0.75 eV) tandem concentrator solar cell, a numerical model is constructed that calculates efficiency as a function of temperature and concentration ratio. The device measurements indicate that the series resistance in the InP top cell severely limits the maximum efficiency at high concentration ratios. Results from the model in which a single-junction InP concentrator solar cell that has a lower resistance by a factor of six was substituted for the top cell show that peak 20 C air-mass-zero (AM0) efficiencies should approach 30 percent at concentration ratios greater than 100. At 80 C, this tandem cell should exceed 24 percent AM0 efficiency.