Efficiency of Hot-Carrier Solar Energy Converters

Robert T. Ross; Arthur J. Nozik

doi:10.1063/1.331124

Efficiency of Hot-Carrier Solar Energy Converters

Robert T. Ross, Arthur J. Nozik

Chemistry and Nanoscience

Ohio State University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

896 Scopus Citations

Abstract

A single-threshold quantum-utilizing device in which the excited carriers thermally equilibrate among themselves, but not with the environment, can convert solar energy with an efficiency approaching that of an infinite-threshold device. Such a hot-carrier flat-plate device operated under typical terrestrial conditions (AM 1.5 illumination, 300 K) can convert solar energy with an efficiency of 66%, substantially exceeding the 33% maximum efficiency of a quantum device operating at thermal equilibrium, and the 52% maximum efficiency of an ideal thermal conversion device. This high efficiency is achieved in part through an unusual inversion, in which the chemical potential of the excited electronic band is below that of the ground band. This negative potential difference reduces radiation losses, permitting a low threshold energy, and a high Carnot efficiency resulting from a high carrier temperature.

Original language	American English
Pages (from-to)	3813-3818
Number of pages	6
Journal	Journal of Applied Physics
Volume	53
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1063/1.331124 https://doi.org/10.1063/1.331124
State	Published - 1982

Bibliographical note

Work performed by Department of Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, Colorado

NREL Publication Number

ACNR/JA-236-3473

Access to Document

Cite this

@article{75b26b8ff93e484aaae669a1231fba98,

title = "Efficiency of Hot-Carrier Solar Energy Converters",

abstract = "A single-threshold quantum-utilizing device in which the excited carriers thermally equilibrate among themselves, but not with the environment, can convert solar energy with an efficiency approaching that of an infinite-threshold device. Such a hot-carrier flat-plate device operated under typical terrestrial conditions (AM 1.5 illumination, 300 K) can convert solar energy with an efficiency of 66%, substantially exceeding the 33% maximum efficiency of a quantum device operating at thermal equilibrium, and the 52% maximum efficiency of an ideal thermal conversion device. This high efficiency is achieved in part through an unusual inversion, in which the chemical potential of the excited electronic band is below that of the ground band. This negative potential difference reduces radiation losses, permitting a low threshold energy, and a high Carnot efficiency resulting from a high carrier temperature.",

author = "Ross, {Robert T.} and Nozik, {Arthur J.}",

note = "Work performed by Department of Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, Colorado",

year = "1982",

doi = "10.1063/1.331124",

language = "American English",

volume = "53",

pages = "3813--3818",

journal = "Journal of Applied Physics",

issn = "0021-8979",

publisher = "American Institute of Physics",

number = "5",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Efficiency of Hot-Carrier Solar Energy Converters

AU - Ross, Robert T.

AU - Nozik, Arthur J.

N1 - Work performed by Department of Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, Colorado

PY - 1982

Y1 - 1982

N2 - A single-threshold quantum-utilizing device in which the excited carriers thermally equilibrate among themselves, but not with the environment, can convert solar energy with an efficiency approaching that of an infinite-threshold device. Such a hot-carrier flat-plate device operated under typical terrestrial conditions (AM 1.5 illumination, 300 K) can convert solar energy with an efficiency of 66%, substantially exceeding the 33% maximum efficiency of a quantum device operating at thermal equilibrium, and the 52% maximum efficiency of an ideal thermal conversion device. This high efficiency is achieved in part through an unusual inversion, in which the chemical potential of the excited electronic band is below that of the ground band. This negative potential difference reduces radiation losses, permitting a low threshold energy, and a high Carnot efficiency resulting from a high carrier temperature.

AB - A single-threshold quantum-utilizing device in which the excited carriers thermally equilibrate among themselves, but not with the environment, can convert solar energy with an efficiency approaching that of an infinite-threshold device. Such a hot-carrier flat-plate device operated under typical terrestrial conditions (AM 1.5 illumination, 300 K) can convert solar energy with an efficiency of 66%, substantially exceeding the 33% maximum efficiency of a quantum device operating at thermal equilibrium, and the 52% maximum efficiency of an ideal thermal conversion device. This high efficiency is achieved in part through an unusual inversion, in which the chemical potential of the excited electronic band is below that of the ground band. This negative potential difference reduces radiation losses, permitting a low threshold energy, and a high Carnot efficiency resulting from a high carrier temperature.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0020126534&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1063/1.331124

DO - 10.1063/1.331124

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:0020126534

SN - 0021-8979

VL - 53

SP - 3813

EP - 3818

JO - Journal of Applied Physics

JF - Journal of Applied Physics

IS - 5

ER -

Efficiency of Hot-Carrier Solar Energy Converters

Abstract

Bibliographical note

NREL Publication Number

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this