Optimizing Quantum Dot Solar Concentrators with Thin Film Solar Cells

Abstract

Quantum dots are proposed as luminescent species in luminescent solar concentrators in combination with thin film silicon solar cells. As both tuning absorption and emission properties of quantum dots is possible by adapting process conditions, as well as tuning the band gap of thin film silicon solar cells, an optimum combination is expected to exist for which the conversion efficiency of the whole device is maximum. As a first step we have employed ray-tracing modeling to determine the efficiency of a luminescent concentrator using several quantum dots and heteronanocrystals with varying Stokes’ shift and absorption cross sections. A maximum efficiency of 5.9% is found for so-called Type II heteronanocrystals.