O’Connor, J. and Michael, S. (2016) Design and Optimization of a Novel Back- Contact Solar Cell in Silvaco®. Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology Conference Plenary Presentation, Cleveland, 20-22 September.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Optimizing a Single-Absorption-Layer Thin-Film Solar Cell1 Model to Achieve 31% Efficiency

  AUTHORS: Joseph E. O’Connor, Sherif Michael

  KEYWORDS: Thin-Film, Solar Cell, Back-Contacts, Gallium-Arsenide, Modeling

  JOURNAL NAME: Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Vol.5 No.1, January 4, 2017

  ABSTRACT: This research builds upon the authors’ previous work that introduced and modeled a novel Gallium-Arsenide, Emitterless, Back-surface Alternating Contact (GaAs-EBAC) thin-film solar cell to achieve >30% power conversion efficiency. Key design parameters are optimized under an Air-Mass (AM) 1.5 spectrum to improve performance and approach the 33.5% theoretical efficiency limit. A second optimization is performed under an AM0 spectrum to examine the cell’s potential for space applications. This research demonstrates the feasibility and potential of a new thin-film solar cell design for terrestrial and space applications. Results suggest that the straight-forward design may be an inexpensive alternative to multi-junction solar cells.