EE 134 Homework 1

Spring 2024

1. (10 pts) Consult Table 1 of Solar cell efficiency tables (Version 61) (PDF in bCourses).
a. (2 pts) List the most efficient cell in each category: Silicon, III-V, thin-film chalcogenide,
perovskite, and organics.
b. (2 pts) For each cell chosen in part a, list Voc, Jsc, and Fill Factor (FF)
𝑃𝑃𝑚𝑚
c. (4 pts) Recall that Fill Factor is defined as 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = . For each cell chosen in part a,
𝑉𝑉𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐽𝐽𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
calculate the maximum power Pm .
d. (2 pts) Compare and contrast these parameters across the technologies.

2. (10 pts) Consider the JV curve in Fig. 1b of Solar cell efficiency tables (Version 61) (PDF in bCourses),
duplicated below.
a. (3 pts) Recall that power density is defined as Ρ𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = 𝐽𝐽𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 ∗ 𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 . From the plot, estimate
the power density for voltages in increments of 0.05 starting from 0 (i.e. 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15,
0.2, … , 0.65, 0.7, 0.75).
b. (3 pts) Plot these power density points against voltage on the x-axis.
c. (2 pts) The power density points computed in part b lie on a smooth P-V curve. Make an
educated guess for the voltage (Vm) and current density (Jm) at which the maximum power
occurs. Report the corresponding power density Pm at this point.
d. (2 pts) Now, calculate the maximum power density Pm using the information given for the n-
type LONGI Solar cell in Table 1. Was your guess close?
3. (10 pts) Two solar cells (cell 1 and cell 2) are measured in three experiments (A, B, and C). Three I-V
curves are given below

a. (2 pts) Assume curves A and B are obtained from measuring cell 1 in two different
experimental setups. What parameter was likely different between the two setups? How do
you know?
b. (3 pts) Assume curve C is obtained by measuring cell 2 under the same conditions that were
used to obtain curve B for cell 1. What physical property is likely different between cell 1
and cell 2?
c. (5 pts) Suppose Cell 1 and Cell 2 are now connected in parallel. Assuming the same test
conditions that were used to obtain curve B and C, draw the I-V curve for the series
connection of Cell 1 and Cell 2.

4. (20 pts) Please read M.A. Green’s Photovoltaics: technology overview (see bCourses) and answer the
following questions.
a. (5 pts) The thermodynamic limit for sunlight-electricity conversion is 93% efficiency. Discuss
three reasons why the efficiency of actual solar cells is lower than this.
b. (5 pts) Discuss advantages and downsides of cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells, compared
to crystalline silicon solar cells.
c. (10 pts) The chart of state-of-the-art research cell efficiencies (NREL) is given in the Lecture
1 slides, page 8, and can be found on NREL’s website ( https://www.nrel.gov/pv/cell-
efficiency.html) Pick a cell technology given in NREL’s chart, but not detailed in Green’s
paper. In 1 or 2 paragraphs, please comment on efficiency trends in this technology, as well
as tradeoffs compared to Si and CdTe cells. Please cite your sources.