Analytical Study of Performance Parameters of InGaN/GaN Multiple Quantum Well Solar Cell

Abstract

An analytical study has been carried out to obtain the device performance parameters of InGaN/GaN-based multiple quantum well solar cell (MQWSC). Significant improvements are made upon the preexisting models reported in the literature for predicting device performance matrix for MQWSC. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards data sheets are utilized for attaining photon flux density instead of blackbody radiation formula. Furthermore, the photon flux density is utilized to evaluate the performance parameters of MQWSC and bulk p-i-n solar cell. Results suggest that by incorporating QWs in the intrinsic region ( x} = 0.1 in InGa1-xN), 27% increment in the conversion efficiency can be achieved as compared to that from the bulk solar cell. Moreover, the impact of operating temperature in the solar cell performance is also studied. The rise in temperature leads to an increase in short-circuit current density; however, open-circuit voltage and conversion efficiency decrease. A decrement of 9.7% in the conversion efficiency of MQWSC is observed with the rise in temperature from 200 to 400 K as compared to 11.6% decline in p-i-n solar cell. © 1963-2012 IEEE.