Modeling analyses for current matching in tandem solar cells

Abstract

This paper presents the modeling results on current matching in tandem solar cells. It is found that the short circuit current density of a tandem cell (Jsc tan) is normally limited by the smaller one of short circuit current densities (Jsc) of the two constituent sub-cells, if this sub-cell has a good performance. But if one of the sub-cells is seriously shunted, the Jsc tan will be limited by another one of the sub-cells, no matter its Jsc is the smaller or larger one. The modeling photovoltaic parameters used in this manuscript are taken from typical amorphous silicon based solar cells, but the basic simulation results should be also applied to other type of multi-junction solar cells.