Hetero-structure p-i-n-i-p solar cell with virtual collector

The current efficiencies of the various types of solar cell devices that are commercially available and affordable are made of silicon, and peak at about 25%, when single crystal Silicon is used. More specialized hetero-structured designs have efficiencies that reach about 40%. This paper demonstrates the design and manufacturing of a novel hetero-structures solar device, where two identical p-i-n junctions positioned one above the other share the common n-layer. This n-layer operates as a common collector, thus settling a parallel connection of the two stacked solar cells. Due to its design with fewer epitaxial layers, the cost of production per unit solar cell will be lower than known tandem multi-junction cells. The device is estimated to have a higher power efficiency of about 48%.