Fashionable NREL Cell Effectivity Chart Now Higher Presents Tandem Photovoltaics

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NREL Photovoltaics Researchers Create a New Model of the Iconic Chart That Tracks World-File PV Cells Throughout Many Applied sciences and Time

The Finest Analysis-Cell Effectivity Chart is likely one of the most-visited pages on the Nationwide Renewable Power Laboratory’s (NREL’s) web site. It makes frequent appearances in shows at photovoltaic (PV) analysis conferences, monitoring the rise and maturation of recent PV applied sciences.

Identical to the applied sciences it tracks, the chart continues to evolve. Not too long ago, NREL developed an interactive model of the chart and started publishing the underlying knowledge desk, permitting customers to dive deeper.

Now, the NREL group chargeable for sustaining the chart is implementing an replace to the chart’s expertise classes.

Including a Hybrid Tandem Class

As a result of rising curiosity in tandem PV (cells composed of two separate absorbing layers to seize extra of the photo voltaic spectrum), the NREL group added a brand new “Hybrid Tandems” class to the chart. This class collects document tandem cells with layers composed of two completely different PV supplies. Some subcategories of Hybrid Tandems (Perovskite/Si and Perovskite/CIGS) had been already current within the earlier format below “Rising PV,” whereas others (III-V/Si and Perovskite/natural) are new.

All of those subcategories have been moved into the brand new Hybrid Tandems class—except for perovskite/perovskite tandems, that are listed below Rising PV.

View the up to date model beneath or as a PDF. The brand new modifications are additionally mirrored in the interactive model of the Finest Analysis-Cell Effectivity Chart.

Condensing the III-V Multijunction Class

This up to date model additionally makes modifications to the “III-V Multijunction Cells” class, which has lengthy contained the highest-efficiency cells on the chart. To simplify the very busy chart, all III-V concentrator cells at the moment are mixed into one subcategory, with the variety of junctions said on the label of every level. Three- and four-junction non-concentrator cells are additionally mixed right into a “Three-junction or extra” subcategory.

A New Subcategory Below Rising PV

With rising curiosity in and examples of independently verified efficiencies for all-perovskite two-terminal tandem cells, the NREL group additionally added a brand new subcategory below the Rising PV class on the chart. The brand new “Perovskite tandem cells” subcategory will checklist absolutely the document effectivity for all-perovskite, two-terminal tandems whatever the variety of junctions.

Total, these modifications replicate current developments in new sorts of cells and make the chart a extra full reference for document cell efficiencies.

Name for Group Suggestions

NREL is in search of enter from the group of PV researchers and producers on these modifications to the Finest Analysis-Cell Effectivity Chart. As a typical fixture within the PV group, NREL desires to make sure these modifications are useful.

Submit feedback and suggestions to cellchart@nrel.gov.

Study extra about NREL’s PV machine efficiency analysis.

Take a look at the associated Champion Photovoltaic Module Effectivity Chart.

For basic questions on NREL’s document effectivity charts and PV machine efficiency analysis, contact Nikos Kopidakis.

Courtesy of NREL. By Harrison Dreves