Comparison of solar cell device thermal degradation and low-irradiance performance

The thermal degradation, low-irradiance performance, IV and EQE characteristics of CuInGaSe₂ (CIGS), c-Si, and GaAs photovoltaic devices are presented. Typically thin-film polycrystalline materials are hypothesized to be advantaged over monocrystalline materials due to their lower thermal degradation coefficient and improved low-irradiance performance. In this work the performance of these different solar cell materials was evaluated with the intent being to determine if these hypothesized performance distinctions exist. Such differences could indicate that solar cells exhibit optimum performance in specific climates.