FULLSPECTRUM: a new PV wave making more efficient use of the solar spectrum

Abstract

The project FULLSPECTRUM -an Integrated Project (IP) in the terminology of the European Commission -pursues a better exploitation of the FULL solar SPECTRUM by (1) further developing concepts already scientifically proven but not yet developed and (2) by trying to prove new ones in the search for a breakthrough in photovoltaic (PV) technology. More specific objectives are the development of: (a) III-V multijunction cells (MJC), (b) solar thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) converters, (c) intermediate band (IB) materials and cells (IBC), (d) molecular-based concepts (MBC) for full PV utilisation of the solar spectrum and (e) manufacturing technologies (MFG) for novel concepts including assembling. MJC technology towards 40% efficiency will be developed using lower cost substrates and high light concentration (up or above 1000 suns). TPV is a concept with a theoretically high efficiency limit because the entire energy of all the photons is used in the heating process and because the non-used photons can be fed back to the emitter, therefore helping in keeping it hot. In the IBC approach, sub-bandgap photons are exploited by means of an IB. Specific IB materials will be sought by direct synthesis suggested by material-band calculations and using nanotechnology in quantum dot (QD) IBCs. In the development of the MBC, topics such as the development of two-photon dye cells and the development of a static global (direct and diffuse) light concentrator by means of luminescent multicolour dyes and QDs, with the radiation confined by photonic crystals, will be particularly addressed. MFG include optoelectronic assembling techniques and coupling of light to cells with new-optic miniconcentrators. r

Quantum‐Dot‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…[70] Furthermore, optical methods such as photon up-and downconversion can be utilized. [71] Intermediate-band and quantum-well solar cells can convert photons with sub-bandgap energy into electric energy. [72][73][74] More precisely, sub-bandgap photons can excite electrons into a sub-band or quantum-well state where they are metastable.…”

Broadband downconversion based near-infrared quantum cutting via cooperative energy transfer in YNbO4:Bi3+, Yb3+ phosphor

“…One of the major challenges in photovoltaic research today is to increase solar cell conversion efficiency by making better use of the solar spectrum [1,2]. Considerable research recently has been focused on better exploitation of the solar cells via a photon conversion process in order to use this environmentally friendly energy source for future energy demands [3][4][5][6][7].…”

Characterizing the light guiding of fluorescent concentrators

“…3,4 Research at that time aimed at reducing costs by using the concentrator to reduce the need for expensive solar cells. After 20 years of progress in the development of solar cells and fluorescent dyes, several groups [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] are currently reinvestigating the potential of fluorescent concentrators.…”