Loss Analysis of Low Bandgap (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se₂ Solar Cells for Tandem Applications

Tandem solar cells can better harness the energy of the solar spectrum. Chalcopyrite solar cells have drawn attention, being the only highly efficient devices with a bandgap around 1.0 eV, suitable for bottom cells. In the quest for better efficiencies, we conduct a complete loss analysis of 1.0 eV bandgap (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se₂ cells with efficiencies around 18.5%. We perform absolute photoluminescence, electroluminescence, J-V and EQE measurements on the absorber and the finished cells to analyze losses of short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage and fill factor. The relevant losses in current are due to absorption losses in the absorber and could only be mitigated by light management structures. But the most significant losses are found in the voltage, due to non-radiative recombination in the absorber, and the fill factor, due to a high diode factor. The diode factor of the cells is significantly higher than in the absorber alone, indicating a strong influence of recombination in the space charge region.