Improvement in Solar Cell Efficiency via Addition of Luminescent Down-shifting Phosphors as Spectral Converters

Abstract

The yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG: Ce) phosphor on the surface of GaAs solar cell are demonstrated to have promising potential for efficient solar spectrum utilization. We combine GaAs solar cell major used on concentrating process and YAG:Ce phosphor that make an approximately 2.2-fold enhancement in power conversion efficiency and up to 20.97 mA/cm 2 in shortcircuit current density. This experiments conclude that the phosphor particles not only play as luminescent downshifting centers in the ultraviolet region but also serve as an anti-reflection coating for enhancing the light absorption in the overall spectral response of external quantum efficiency.