**8. Recent efficiencies of III–V NWs solar cells**

A solar cell is characterized by parameters, such as filling factor (FF), open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Jsc), and power conversion efficiency (η). **Table 1** summarizes some of the fabricated III–V NWs solar cells since 2010. Values for each parameter and their growth mechanisms are also summarized. The main hindrance for commercializing III–V NWs solar cells is their low power conversion efficiency. Therefore, researchers around the world are trying to increase the efficiency of these materials by using novel designs, improving growth mechanisms, and device fabrication methods. The highest efficiency of III–V NW solar cells above 10% is reported by Holm et al. using GaAsP NWs with radial p-i-n junctions, which is 10.2% [133]. Next to this report, many III–V NWs with efficiency above 10% are reported. An efficiency of 19.6% using InP nanopillars is achieved by Son Ko et al. [145]. Krogstrup et al. even reported a high experimental efficiency of 40% using GaAs NWs [84].

Furthermore, the highest efficient III–V NWs large-area solar cells are rapidly developing [111]. The first large-area solar cell with high-efficiency higher than 10%, which is an InP NW array solar cell with an efficiency of 13.8%, is reported by Wallentin et al. [30]. Afterward, an efficiency of 11.1% with InP NW arrays is achieved by Cui et al. [136]. Then, an efficiency of 15.3% is achieved using GaAs NW arrays by Åberg et al. [76]. Ultimately, the III–V NW with the highest efficiency and world record is 17.8% reported by Dam et al. [32].



**Table 1.** *Some of the III–V NWs studied since 2010 and their efficiency achievement.*

*Solar Energy Conversion Efficiency, Growth Mechanism and Design of III–V Nanowire-Based… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105985*
