Abstracts of general Project Publications

• A. Luque and A. Martí
  "Fullspectrum: A new PV wave of more efficient use of solar spectrum"
  Proc. of the 2nd Workshop on the Future Direction of PV, 2006

Abstract: The purpose of this presentation is to describe the origin and the present state of the research under the Integrated Project FULLSPECTRUM, sponsored by the European Commission and involving 19 European research centres with a partial-cost grant of 8.4 millon Euro for five years in order to provide a long term basis for the development of the photovoltaic energy conversion of the solar energy.

• A. Luque, A. Martí, A. Bett, V.M. Andreev, C. Jaussaud, J.A.M. van Roosmalen, J. Alonso, A. Räuber, G. Strobl, W. Stolz, C. Algora, B. Bitnar, A. Gombert, C. Stanley, P. Wahnon, J.C. Conesa, W.G.J.H.M. van Sark, A. Meijerink, G.P.M. van Klink, K. Barnham, R. Danz, T. Meyer, I. Luque-Heredia, R. Kenny, C. Christofides, G. Sala, P Benítez "FULLSPECTRUM: a new PV wave making more efficient use of the solar spectrum" Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 87 (2005) 467–479

Abstract: The project FULLSPECTRUM — an Integrated Project (IP) in the terminology of the European Commission — pursues a better exploitation of the FULL solar SPECTRUM by (1) further developing concepts already scientifically proven but not yet developed and (2) by trying to prove new ones in the search for a breakthrough in photovoltaic (PV) technology. More specific objectives are the development of: (a) III–V multijunction cells (MJC), (b) solar thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) converters, (c) intermediate band (IB) materials and cells (IBC), (d) molecular-based concepts (MBC) for full PV utilisation of the solar spectrum and (e) manufacturing technologies (MFG) for novel concepts including assembling. MJC technology towards 40% efficiency will be developed using lower cost substrates and high light concentration (up or above 1000 suns). TPV is a concept with a theoretically high efficiency limit because the entire energy of all the photons is used in the heating process and because the non-used photons can be fed back to the emitter, therefore helping in keeping it hot. In the IBC approach, sub-bandgap photons are exploited by means of an IB. Specific IB materials will be sought by direct synthesis suggested by material-band calculations and using nanotechnology in quantum dot (QD) IBCs. In the development of the MBC, topics such as the development of two-photon dye cells and the development of a static global (direct and diffuse) light concentrator by means of luminescent multicolour dyes and QDs, with the radiation confined by photonic crystals, will be particularly addressed. MFG include optoelectronic assembling techniques and coupling of light to cells with new-optic miniconcentrators.

• A.Luque, A. Martí, L. Cuadra, C. Algora, P. Wahnon, G. Sala, P. Benítez, A.W. Bett, A. Gombert, V.M. Andreev, C. Jassaud, J.A.M. Van Roosmalen, J. Alonso, A. Räuber, G. Strobel, W. Stolz, B. Bitnar , C. Stanley, J.C. Conesa, W. Van Sark, K. Barnham, R. Danz, T. Meyer, I. Luque-Heredia, R. Kenny , C. Christofides "FULLSPECTRUM: A new PV wave making more efficient use of the solar spectrum" Paper presented at the 19th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibiton (Paris 2004)

Abstract: This work introduces the five lines of research that the FULLSPECTRUM project is pursuing. Sponsored by the European Commission under the Sixth Framework Programme, FULLSPECTRUM aims to make better use of the solar spectrum than conventional single-gap cells currently do. The aforementioned lines of research are: 1) multi-junction solar cells, 2) solar thermophotovoltaic converters, 3) intermediate band materials and cells, 4) molecular-based concepts, and 5) novel, non-imaging optic techniques for sunlight concentration and assembling procedures , as well as normative related work. Some of the photovoltaic concepts involved are completely novel requiring a profound, basic scientific research and innovative technological approach. Others, such as multi-junction cells, have already been proven scientifically and probably just need further technological development. This work summarises the efforts that FULLSPECTRUM will be making during the next five years towards a more efficient generation of electricity and at a lower and competitive cost. (PDF full version)