title: Efficient Multiterminal Spectrum Splitting via a Nanowire Array Solar Cell.
abstract: Nanowire-based solar cells opened a new avenue for increasing conversion efficiency and rationalizing material use by growing different III-V materials on silicon substrates. Here, we propose a multiterminal nanowire solar cell design with a theoretical conversion efficiency of 48.3% utilizing an efficient lateral spectrum splitting between three different III-V material nanowire arrays grown on a flat silicon substrate. This allows choosing an ideal material combination to achieve the proper spectrum splitting as well as fabrication feasibility. The high efficiency is possible due to an enhanced absorption cross-section of standing nanowires and optimization of the geometric parameters. Furthermore, we propose a multiterminal contacting scheme that can be fabricated with a technology close to standard CMOS. As an alternative we also consider a single power source with a module level voltage matching. These new concepts open avenues for next-generation solar cells for terrestrial and space applications.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Electromagnetic Fields, ETH Zurich , 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dorodnyy
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials, EPFL Lausanne , 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alarcon-Lladó
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Crystallography, ETH Zurich , 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Valery
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shklover
authors.affiliation: Institute of Electromagnetic Fields, ETH Zurich , 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hafner
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials, EPFL Lausanne , 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fontcuberta I Morral
authors.affiliation: Institute of Electromagnetic Fields, ETH Zurich , 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Juerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leuthold
keywords: nanowire; photonic crystals; photovoltaics; spectrum splitting