High efficiency III-V multijunction solar cells

Solar cells made of III-V semiconductors reach the highest efficiencies of any photovoltaic technology-more than 43% in 2011. Stacking subcells with decreasing band gap from top to bottom increases the efficiency as reduces losses from thermalisation and transmission are reduced. III-V multijunction solar cells are used in a wide range of applications, including satellites, space vehicles, and terrestrial concentrator systems. Intensive research is ongoing to further optimize the cell structures in order to reach even higher efficiencies.