Abstract
Recent advances from two diametric approaches for realistically approaching the fundamental limits to solar cell conversion efficiency, which follow from basic thermodynamics, will be presented. One relates to a new concept in cell architecture for concentrator photovoltaics, with the possibility of using exclusively indirect bandgap semiconductors (including Si and Ge) at irradiance values of thousands of suns. The second constitutes the first experimental demonstration of performance enhancement by recycling photon emission from high-efficiency non-concentrator (one-sun) solar cells. An analysis of the results points to roadmaps for future improvements.
Biography
Jeffrey Gordon is a professor in the Department of Solar Energy and Environmental Physics, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, in Israel. His research and teaching interests focus on advanced optical design, the solar energy sciences, photovoltaic physics, novel nanomaterial syntheses, and ultra-high algal bioproductivity. Gordon has a BA and MA from Columbia University, a PhD from Brown University, and was a post-doc at the Weizmann Institute of Science. He has been a faculty member at BGU since 1978.