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NREL Photovoltaics Researchers Create a New Model of the Iconic Chart That Tracks World-Report PV Cells Throughout Many Applied sciences and Time
The Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart is among the most-visited pages on the Nationwide Renewable Power Laboratory’s (NREL’s) web site. It makes frequent appearances in shows at photovoltaic (PV) analysis conferences, monitoring the rise and maturation of latest PV applied sciences.
Identical to the applied sciences it tracks, the chart continues to evolve. Just lately, NREL developed an interactive version of the chart and commenced publishing the underlying knowledge desk, permitting customers to dive deeper.
Now, the NREL group liable for sustaining the chart is implementing an replace to the chart’s expertise classes.
Including a Hybrid Tandem Class
Because of the rising curiosity in tandem PV (cells composed of two separate absorbing layers to seize extra of the photo voltaic spectrum), the NREL group added a brand new “Hybrid Tandems” class to the chart. This class collects document tandem cells with layers composed of two totally different PV supplies. Some subcategories of Hybrid Tandems (Perovskite/Si and Perovskite/CIGS) had been already current within the earlier format underneath “Emerging PV,” whereas others (III-V/Si and Perovskite/natural) are new.
All of those subcategories have been moved into the brand new Hybrid Tandems class—excluding perovskite/perovskite tandems, that are listed underneath Rising PV.
View the up to date model beneath or as a PDF. The brand new adjustments are additionally mirrored in the interactive version of the Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart.
Condensing the III-V Multijunction Class
This up to date model additionally makes adjustments to the “III-V Multijunction Cells” class, which has lengthy contained the highest-efficiency cells on the chart. To simplify the very busy chart, all III-V concentrator cells are actually mixed into one subcategory, with the variety of junctions said on the label of every level. Three- and four-junction non-concentrator cells are additionally mixed right into a “Three-junction or more” subcategory.
A New Subcategory Underneath Rising PV
With rising curiosity in and examples of independently verified efficiencies for all-perovskite two-terminal tandem cells, the NREL group additionally added a brand new subcategory underneath the Rising PV class on the chart. The brand new “Perovskite tandem cells” subcategory will record absolutely the document effectivity for all-perovskite, two-terminal tandems whatever the variety of junctions.
Total, these adjustments mirror latest developments in new kinds of cells and make the chart a extra full reference for document cell efficiencies.
Name for Group Suggestions
NREL is in search of enter from the neighborhood of PV researchers and producers on these adjustments to the Finest Analysis-Cell Effectivity Chart. As a typical fixture within the PV neighborhood, NREL needs to make sure these adjustments are helpful.
Submit feedback and suggestions to cellchart@nrel.gov.
Be taught extra about NREL’s PV device performance research.
Take a look at the associated Champion Photovoltaic Module Efficiency Chart.
For normal questions on NREL’s document effectivity charts and PV system efficiency analysis, contact Nikos Kopidakis.
Courtesy of NREL. By Harrison Dreves
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