A solar cell device includes a p-n diode component over a substrate, the p-n diode component including at least one subcell, each subcell including an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer to form a p-n junction. The solar cell device further includes at least two features selected from: i) a nano-structured region between at the p-n junction of at least one subcell; ii) an n-type and/or a p-type layer of at least one subcell that includes a built-in quasi-electric field; and iii) a photon reflector structure. Alternatively, the solar cell device includes at least two subcells, and further includes a nano-structured region at the p-n junction of at least one of the subcells, wherein the subcells of the solar cell device are connected in parallel to each other by the p-type or the n-type semiconductor layer of each subcell. Alternatively, the solar cell device further includes a nano-structured region at the p-n junction of at least one subcell, wherein the nano-structured region includes i) a plurality of quantum dots or quantum wells that include InN or InGaN, the quantum dots or quantum wells embedded within a wide band gap matrix that includes InGaN, GaN, or AlGaN, or ii) a plurality of quantum dots or quantum wells that include InAs, GaAs or InGaAs, the quantum dots or quantum wells embedded within a wide band gap matrix that includes InGaP, GaAsP, AlGaAs, AlGaInAs or AlGaInP.