Photovoltaic Device

Abstract

The invention relates to a tandem PV cell group (1) having two PV cells (11, 21) of different cell types. A separate power electronic unit (31, 32) is assigned to each of the PV cells in such a manner that a voltage generated in the particular PV cell or the corresponding power yield can be supplied to the assigned power electronic unit. The power electronic units can be operated independently of one another with the aid of a control device (40) in such a manner that each PV subsystem having one of the PV cells in each case and the power electronic unit assigned to the particular PV cell operates at the optimum operating point thereof. For this purpose, the control device can operate in such a manner that, during operation of the power electronic unit of each PV subsystem, a product of the power yield and the cell voltage of the PV cell assigned to the particular power electronic unit is at a maximum.

Description

[0001]This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT / EP2018 / 055499, filed Mar. 6, 2018, which claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2017 203 809.8, filed Mar. 8, 2017, and German Patent Application No. 10 2017 205 524.3, filed Mar. 31, 2017. The entire contents of these documents are hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]The present embodiments relate to a photovoltaic device having two or more separate solar cells.[0003]Solar power generation using photovoltaic (PV) devices is contributing, for environmental and increasingly also economic reasons (e.g., in Central Europe), to electricity production to a rapidly increasing extent. However, this regenerative energy source, also and in particular in comparison with conventional energy sources, has to be competitive. For this reason, it is sought to drive PV power generation costs below those of conventional (e.g., fossil energy generation) even in regions with moderately ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a design for a multi-PV cell group that maintains high efficiency even when exposed to varying lighting conditions. The PV cells are placed in separate power electronics units, which allows for individual optimization and reduces energy loss compared to traditional methods. This design also allows for the use of different PV cell types and technology advances, resulting in higher efficiency and more flexible design options. Additionally, the perovskite-based PV cells are able to achieve high efficiency more quickly than silicon-based cells, which can be further improved through individual control.

Problems solved by technology

However, this regenerative energy source, also and in particular in comparison with conventional energy sources, has to be competitive.

Even though what are known as perovskite materials such as, for example, CH3NH3PbI3 (or more generally (CH3NH3)MX3-xYx (where M=Pb or Sn and X, Y=I, Br or Cl)), which permit a high-efficiency conversion of electromagnetic radiation energy into electrical energy due to their optoelectronic properties, have gained in significance in recent years and promise an effect that lowers operating costs, using such new, inexpensive solar cells on their own is not yet sufficient.

In this case, however, the problem occurs that in the event that currents of a significantly different value are generated in the two cells 11, 21, that cell 11, 21 in which a low current is generated is flowed through by the large current of the other cell 21, 11, which may lead to damage.

The differently formed structures lying above one another in this connection, however, turn out to be technologically problematic.

The efficiency of such Si cells however drops below the efficiency of, for example, organic PV cells under weaker light.

The approach illustrated in FIG. 2 having matched surface areas of the light-sensitive areas is thus ultimately not expedient.

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