Guidelines for the Bandgap Combinations and Absorption Windows for Organic Tandem and Triple-Junction Solar Cells

• Main Authors: Ben Minnaert, Peter Veelaert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012-10-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: organic solar cells; modeling; tandem solar cells; triple-junction solar cells; multi-junction solar cells; power conversion efficiency; bandgap; absorption window
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/5/10/1933

Organic solar cells have narrow absorption windows, compared to the absorption band of inorganic semiconductors. A possible way to capture a wider band of the solar spectrum—and thus increasing the power conversion efficiency—is using more solar cells with different bandgaps in a row, i.e., a multi-junction solar cell. We calculate the ideal material characteristics (bandgap combinations and absorption windows) for an organic tandem and triple-junction solar cell, as well as their acceptable range. In this way, we give guidelines to organic material designers.