The Multijunction Solar Cell is indeed not a new technology. Earlier it was mostly used to power up satellites as they provides comparatively high efficiency than other kinds of solar cell. With the current technology advancement and more are in development, Multijunction solar cell are emerging for commercial use.



The multijunction solar cell (MSC) gives high energy efficiency because it contains two or more different solar cells that are sandwiched together. Since, every solar cell is capable of absorbing different wavelength of light. That is why, multijunction solar cell has wider range of light absorption which increases its energy efficiency.

However, the most interesting and burning question in research that how to sandwiched two or more different kind of solar cells. Because their sandwiching also result in new p-n junction which has its own properties. In order to cope this challenge , researchers has introduced many ways. Out of these ways, one is the introduction of a tunnel junction between the two different solar cells. Since, tunnel junction is a p-n junction that provides negative resistance at particular operation conditions. Although, tunnel junction also have two other modes of operation in different operating environment which will effect the proper functioning of multijunction solar cell.

In order to understand the pros and cons of tunnel junction and its challenges in commercializing it, read below article.

Reference:

Babar, M., Rizvi, A. A., Al-Ammar, E. A., & Malik, N. H. (2014). Analytical Model of Multi-junction Solar Cell. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering,39(1), 547-555.