Integrated Solar Batteries: Design and Device Concepts

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Solar batteries present an emerging class of devices which enable simultaneous energy conversion and energy storage in one single device. This high level of integration enables new energy storage concepts ranging from short-term solar energy buffers to light-enhanced batteries, thus opening up exciting vistas for decentralized energy storage. The dynamics of this emerging field has engendered a number of different solar battery designs, which significantly differ not only in the charge storage mechanism but also in terms of device design. Herein, we first discuss the fundamental electrochemical signature of these devices, revisit the reported solar battery concepts, and categorize them in a set of five designs by carving out key similarities in how electric and light charging fluxes interact, classifying them either as charge efficient or power efficient charging devices. We then rediscuss solar batteries in the context of our classification scheme and propose design guidelines for solar batteries.