An Analytic Approach to the Modeling of Multijunction Solar Cells

Analytic expressions for the JV-characteristics of three types of multijunction configurations are derived. From these, expressions for the short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, and voltage at the maximum power point are found for multiterminal devices, and for series-connected tandem stacks. For voltage-matched devices, expressions for the optimal ratio of the number of bottom cells to the number of top cells are established. Luminescent coupling is incorporated throughout the article. It should be highlighted that the maximum power point of a series-connected tandem stack is described, with good accuracy for all interesting band gap combinations, by a single analytic expression. Although the modeling is carried out assuming devices that operate at the radiative limit, it is suggested that the results may form a framework that can be further developed, and adapted to describe nonideal devices as well.