Model‐Chain Validation for Estimating the Energy Yield of Bifacial Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells

Abstract

The power conversion efficiency of conventional silicon solar cells approaches its theoretical limit. Bifacial operation and the perovskite/silicon tandem device architecture are promising approaches for increasing the energy yield of photovoltaic modules. Here, an energy yield calculation tool for (bifacial) perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells is presented. It uses a chain of models for irradiance, optical absorption, and temperature‐dependent electrical performance. Each step is validated with irradiance and performance data from a rooftop installation with mono‐ and bifacial silicon solar cells in Jerusalem, Israel. Selecting the data for two days (one in summer, one in winter) and considering the high‐reflective ground of this particular installation (albedo 60%) a 20% increased energy yield for a bifacial module with respect to a monofacial module is modeled. This result matches well with experimental data. When “upgrading” the silicon solar cell to a perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell, the case study predicts up to 40% additional energy yield. Combining the concepts of bifacial solar operation and perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells results in up to 60% increased energy with a high albedo ground, and is therefore a promising approach to further decrease the levelized cost of electricity for photovoltaic electricity generation.

Energy Yield Prediction of Bifacial Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Photovoltaic Modules

“…There are three main sources of sunlight that irradiate on PV modules, [ 60 ] that is, direct light from the sun ( I dir ), diffuse sunlight scattered around and in the atmosphere ( I diff ), and diffuse sunlight reflected from the ground ( I albedo ), as schematically shown in Figure 1b. In general, the I dir and I albedo contribute to the front‐ and rear‐side irradiance on the PV modules, respectively, while the I diff can simultaneously interact with the front and rear side of the modules.…”

Architecture of symmetrical bifacial perovskite/Si/perovskite PV modules and LCOE comparison in bifacial applications

“…The structure and interconnection scheme of such triple-junction module are shown in Figure 2. The concept of a triple junction perovskite/Si/perovskite PV module has already been mentioned in the literature [11], although the concept was based on monolithically integrated tandem Si/perovskite structure with a parallel connected perovskite module on the backside, which differs from the concept simulated here where the three PV junctions are connected in parallel. It should also not be mixed up with that of a triple-junction perovskite/ perovskite/Si PV module with different bandgaps of the perovskite layers, which has been under study for several years [12].…”

From Sunrise to Sunset: Unraveling Metastability in Perovskite Solar Cells by Coupled Outdoor Testing and Energy Yield Modelling

“…Multiple EY models were suggested for perovskite-based solar cells [26][27][28][29] They vary in complexity, depending on the parameters taken into account by the model (irradiance, temperature, solar spectrum, and solar cell electrical performance among others). The purpose of the models was mainly to predict and optimize EY at different geographical locations, [29] to compare 2-terminal and 4-terminal tandem devices, [30] or to improve light management by analyzing the effects of textured surfaces.…”