Super-Multi-Junction Solar Cells, a New Configuration of the Robust and High-Efficiency Solar Cell and Its Application – Operation Model Based on the Annual Monitoring of the Multi-Junction PV Modules

It is known that multi-junction solar cells are sensitive to the spectrum change [1]-[2], and its high-performance is often discouraged by the spectrum mismatching loss by the seasonal change of the atmospheric parameters [3]-[4]. It implies that the highest efficiency solar cell in the standard testing condition does not always promise the most excellent annual energy yield in the real world solar condition that the spectrum is ever-changing. We found the ultimate solution of the seasonal loss will be autonomous compensation of the carrier imbalance by the radiative coupling among junctions due to radiative recombination [5]. We call it a super-multi-junction solar cell. The annual operation of the super-multi-junction solar cell was simulated by the validated operation model of the photovoltaic module using multi-junction solar cells. It was shown that the super-multi-junction architecture was found robust up to 6 junctions. The robust high-efficiency solar cell can be the right candidate of the vehicle-integrated photovoltaic that run a majority of electric vehicles on solar energy.