Investigating Sub-bandgap Spectral Effects in GaInP-on-Ge Solar Cells

Published

August 26, 2021

Author(s)

Brianna Conrad, Behrang Hamadani

Abstract

There is a fundamental understanding in photovoltaics that sub-bandgap light will not be absorbed in the solar cell and therefore will not affect the power generation. We have shown a novel phenomenon in which sub-bandgap illumination is required for good electrical performance in III-V solar cells on heterosubstrates. We investigate this effect in GaInP cells on Ge substrates with current-voltage measurements under varying spectra and irradiances. This has implications for device characterization, the development of solar cells both on heterosubstrates and for conditions lacking long-wavelength light, and the prediction of device performance under spectra that differ from the test conditions.

Proceedings Title

48th IEEE Photovoltaics Specialists Conference (PVSC)

Conference Dates

June 20-25, 2021

Conference Location

Virtual, MD, US

Pub Type

Conferences

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC43889.2021.9518844

Local Download

Keywords

III-V and Concentrator PV, Characterization of PV, Circuit analysis, Photovoltaic cells

Citation

Conrad, B. and Hamadani, B. (2021), Investigating Sub-bandgap Spectral Effects in GaInP-on-Ge Solar Cells, 48th IEEE Photovoltaics Specialists Conference (PVSC), Virtual, MD, US, [online], https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC43889.2021.9518844, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=932528 (Accessed October 17, 2025)