Improving solar cell efficiency using photonic band-gap materials

Florescu, Marian; Lee, Hwang; Puscasu, Irina; Pralle, Martin U.; Florescu, Lucia; Ting, David Z.; Dowling, Jonathan P.

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2007.05.001

Cited by 98 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Photonic crystals ͑PCs͒ have been suggested as promising candidates for improving the optical performance of solar cells. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] While two-or three-dimensional PCs exhibit a high potential for efficient light scattering, 1,5 one-dimensional ͑1D͒ PCs can be used as distributed Bragg reflectors with high optical reflectance ͑close to 100%͒. 2,7 A regular 1D PC is a periodiclike multilayer structure consisting of two alternating layers each with a different refractive index ͑n 1 , n 2 ͒ and thickness ͓d 1 where m is the number of alternating-layer pairs ͑periods͒ in the PC structure and n 1 and n 2 are their refractive indices.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Modulated photonic-crystal structures as broadband back reflectors in thin-film solar cells

Krč

Zeman

Luxembourg

et al. 2009

Applied Physics Letters

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A concept of a modulated one-dimensional photonic-crystal ͑PC͒ structure is introduced as a back reflector for thin-film solar cells. The structure comprises two PC parts, each consisting of layers of different thicknesses. Using layers of amorphous silicon and amorphous silicon nitride a reflectance close to 100% is achieved over a broad wavelength region ͑700-1300 nm͒. Based on this concept, a back reflector was designed for thin-film microcrystalline silicon solar cells, using n-doped amorphous silicon and ZnO:Al. Simulations show that the short-circuit current of the cell with a modulated PC back reflector closely resembles that of a cell with an ideal reflector.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Modulated photonic-crystal structures as broadband back reflectors in thin-film solar cells

Krč

Zeman

Luxembourg

et al. 2009

Applied Physics Letters

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“…Despite the fact that some materials can behave as angleselective absorbers/emitters [5], in most cases they behave as diffuse (Lambertian or isotropic) emitters, which means that the intensity (power per unit of solid angle) of the radiation leaving their surfaces is independent of direction. Therefore, in these materials, the only way to reduce emission losses is to reduce the absorber area, which requires the use of an optical concentration system between the receptor and the absorber in order to maintain…”

Section: Spatial Restriction (Optical Concentration)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the efficiency limit of a STPV system is obtained under a set of very restrictive constraints. First, it is assumed that the absorber only exchanges photons with the sun and with no other part of the sky (which implies the use of an intermediate optical system with the maximum concentration factor [4] or a special kind of angular selective absorber [5,6]). Second, the emitter-to-cells photon exchange must be strictly monochromatic (with photon energies equaling the band-gap energy of the PV semiconductor).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detailed balance analysis of solar thermophotovoltaic systems made up of single junction photovoltaic cells and broadband thermal emitters

Datas

Algora

2010

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

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Keywords:Solar thermophotovoltaic system Concentration Optical cavity Spectral control Selective absorber This paper presents a detailed balance analysis of a solar thermophotovoltaic system comprising an optical concentrator, a cut-off broad band absorber and emitter, and single junction photovoltaic cells working at the radiative limit with an integrated back-side reflector in a configuration in which the cells enclose the emitter to form an optical cavity. The analysis includes the effect of multiple variables on the system performance (efficiency and electrical power density), such as the concentration factor, the emitter-to-absorber area ratio, the absorber and emitter cut-off energies, the semiconductor band-gap energy and the voltage of the cells. Furthermore, the effect of optical losses within the cavity such as those attributed to a back-side reflector with reflectivity lower than one or to a semi-open optical cavity is also included. One of our main conclusions is that for a planar system configuration (the emitter, the cells and the absorber have the same area) the combination of low concentration and a spectrally selective absorber provides the highest system efficiencies. The efficiency limit of this kind of systems is 45.3%, which exceeds the Shockley-Queisser limit of 40.8% (obtained for a single junction solar cell, directly illuminated by the sun, working under maximum concentration and with an optimized band-gap). This system also has the great benefit of requiring a very low concentration factor of 4.4 suns.

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“…In general, PhCs can be used in three ways in order to improve light absorbing efficiency. The first approach is the design of reflecting a range of wavelengths with low losses or the inhibition and redistribution of light spectrum via the significant feature of PhCs, the photonic band-gaps (PBGs) [11][12][13]. This option generally leads to the requirement of a sufficiently large refractive index contrast to open a full PBG.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical Absorption Enhancement in Solar Cells via 3d Photonic Crystal Structures

Chen¹,

Li²,

Chen³

2011

PIER M

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Abstract-Light concentrating structures with three-dimensional photonic crystals (3D PhCs) for solar cell applications are investigated via simulation. The 3D opal PhCs are suggested as an intermediate layer in the concentrator system for solar cells. It is found that the light absorption is significantly enhanced due to the adding of diffractive effects of PhCs to the concentrator. Three types of PhCs are considered in four scenarios to verify the absorption enhancement by such a light concentrating structure. Our calculations show that the face-centered cubic PhC can create an absorbing efficiency superior to the others under a specified lattice orientation pointing to the sun, which results in an enhancement factor of 1.56 in absorption for the 500-1100 nm spectral range.

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Improving solar cell efficiency using photonic band-gap materials

Cited by 98 publications

References 26 publications

Modulated photonic-crystal structures as broadband back reflectors in thin-film solar cells

Modulated photonic-crystal structures as broadband back reflectors in thin-film solar cells

Detailed balance analysis of solar thermophotovoltaic systems made up of single junction photovoltaic cells and broadband thermal emitters

Optical Absorption Enhancement in Solar Cells via 3d Photonic Crystal Structures

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