Semi-transparent organic solar cells’ (ST-OSCs) photovoltaic and high optical performance parameters are evaluated in innovative applications such as power-generating windows for buildings, automobiles, and aesthetic designs in architectural and industrial products. These parameters require the precision design of structures that optimize optical properties in the visible region and aim to achieve the required photon harvest in UV and IR. These designs can be realized by integrating wavelength-selective photonics-based systems into ST-OSC to increase localized absorption in wavelengths greater than 600 nm and NIR and provide modifiable optical properties. In this study, methodologically, we followed highly detailed light management engineering and transfer matrix method-based theoretical and experimental approaches. We discussed the optimal structures by evaluating color, color rendering index, correlated color temperature, and photovoltaic performances for ST-OSCs, including one-dimensional photonic crystal (1D-PC) designed at different resonance wavelengths (λB) and periods. Finally, by integrating fine-tuned (MgF2/MoO3)N 1D-PC, we report the inherently dark purple-red color of the P3HT:PCBM bulk-heterojunction-based ST-OSC neutralizes with the optimal state was 0.3248 and 0.3733 by adjusting close to the Planckian locus. We also enhanced short current density from 5.77 mA/cm2 to 6.12 mA/cm2 and PCE were increased by 7.34% from 1.77% to 1.90% designed for the N = 4 period and λB = 700 nm.

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In this work, continuous and conductive ultrathin Ag films with highly infrared reflective and highly visible transmittance were achieved using several metal seeds (Ti, Nb, Cr, Ni, Mo, Pt, Cu, and Ru), having ~1‐2 nm in thickness, deposited between Ag and dielectric AZO layers on glass substrate by magnetron sputtering with confocal target geometry. The optical properties in the visible and infrared ranges and conductivity of Ag/M‐seed/AZO/glass structures were compared in order to determine the influence of the seeds. It was observed that all M‐Seeds increased both visible transmittance and infrared reflectance. But also, it was shown that Nb and Ti seed layers which help on coalesced of Ag and AZO layers are more effective on the electro‐optical characteristics of the Ag thin films than the other seeds. Ag/Nb/AZO/glass and Ag/Ti/AZO/glass structures showed 2.81 and 2.84 Ω/□ sheet resistance and low surface roughness, respectively, which are the best film structures. In addition, these films have homogeneous and defect‐free surfaces that do not cause any electrical breakdown. Besides, Nb and Ti seeded structures have the low‐emissivity both 780‐2500 nm and long wavelength (λ  >  3 μm) spectral region as 0.0357 and 0.0361, respectively.

Photonic-based functional designs and integrations for advanced optoelectronic devices are regarded as promising candidates considering the enhancement of efficiency and tunability. With the aim to improve photovoltaic performance by increasing photon harvesting, the study presents the prominent findings of experimental and theoretical comparison of optical and electrical evaluation integrating a functionally designed one-dimension photonic crystal (1D-PC) into CdTe solar cells. Since transparency of the CdS/CdTe heterojunction based solar cell (SC) is reduced by a photonic band gap formed by (MgF2/MoO3)N 1D-PC; namely, re-harvesting is improved by increasing absorbance. The period number at resonance wavelength of 850 nm and photocurrent density ($${J}_{ph}$$ J ph ) have remarkable influence on the investigation. For four periods, the reflectance in the region of photonic band gap is sufficient for photon harvesting and saturation occurs. The photovoltaic performances are comparatively analysed for SCs with and without 1D-PC produced at optimal values. The open-circuit voltage does not change, besides, short-circuit current density and maximum-current density vary between 15.86–17.23 mA cm−2 and, 13.08–15.41 mA cm−2. Having integrated the 1D-PC into the structure, it is concluded that the FF and power conversion efficiency increase from 55.27 to 63.35% with an improvement of 15.91% and, from 8.26 to 10.47% with an improvement of 21.10%.

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