3D-printed concentrator arrays for external light trapping on thin film solar cells

Dijk, Lourens van; Marcus, Eric; Oostra, A. Jolt; Schropp, R.E.I.; Vece, Marcel Di

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2015.03.002

Cited by 47 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…An opening fraction of~30% can eliminate the need for tracking as we show in Section 3. Different geometries (e.g., rectangular, hexagonal, and circular) are allowed for the openings as shown previously [11].…”

Section: Design 1: Basic Light Trapping Module Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…with A trap the total absorptance of the module with trap, T c the transmittance of the concentrator with concentration factor C, A sc and R sc (=1 À A sc ) the absorptance and reflectance of the solar cell, respectively (without trap), and R reflector the reflectance of the reflector. Previously, we analyzed the effect of T c and R reflector on the device performance; both need to be as high as possible for maximal performance [11]. Additionally, the parasitic loss due to absorptance by the encapsulant can be included by substituting T c → T c T enc and R reflector →R reflector T 2 enc with T enc the transmittansce of light through the encapsulant during a single pass.…”

Section: Optimal Acceptance Anglementioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are several options for the configuration of the lenses in an array [11]. For example, one can use square or hexagonal arrays or rows of lenses.…”

Section: Design Of Lens Arraymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, light confining cavities have a broadband enhancement and are a more comprehensive solution as they can trap the light irrespective of its origin [9]. In recent work, we demonstrated optical confinement using a universal external light trap on nc-Si:H [10], organic [11], and c-Si solar cells [9]. The concept of optical confinement by an external light trap is illustrated in Figure 1.…”

Section: Introduction To the Light Trapping Modulementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the successful initial proof-of-concept experiments [9][10][11], we employed prototype optical elements that are not well suited for module integration. It is not straightforward to directly sandwich the metalized parabolic mirrors (or concentrators) into a conventional module.…”

Section: Introduction To the Light Trapping Modulementioning

confidence: 99%

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Concepts for external light trapping and its utilization in colored and image displaying photovoltaic modules

Dijk

Groep

Veldhuizen

et al. 2017

Progress in Photovoltaics

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The reflection of incident sunlight prevents photovoltaic modules from reaching their full energy conversion potential. Recently, we demonstrated significant absorption enhancement in various solar cells by external light trapping, using 3D-printed and milled light traps. In order to facilitate direct module integration, we introduce an external light trapping design concept tackling the reflection issues at the module level. In this module design, a lens array on the module cover glass funnels the incident sunlight through small apertures in a reflective coating at the backside of the cover glass. This adapted cover glass can be applied on a conventional module design. The reflector and the solar cells together form an optical cavity, in which most reflected light is recycled by directing the reflected light back to the solar cell. A unique feature of this light trapping module is its capability to simultaneously recycle the broadband reflection from the metal front grid, the front interfaces, the reflective backside of the cell, and the white back sheet. Moreover, it allows separate integration and contacting of low and high bandgap solar cells for highly efficient hybrid tandem modules that have no current matching related losses. We show five module designs for improved light management combined with additional features such as color and image display. We discuss the optimal harvesting of the diffuse and direct component of the sunlight. The outlook of highly efficient, colored, and even image displaying modules makes this technology an interesting candidate for a new class of photovoltaic modules.

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Section: Design 1: Basic Light Trapping Module Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Optimal Acceptance Anglementioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are several options for the configuration of the lenses in an array [11]. For example, one can use square or hexagonal arrays or rows of lenses.…”

Section: Design Of Lens Arraymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction To the Light Trapping Modulementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction To the Light Trapping Modulementioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Concepts for external light trapping and its utilization in colored and image displaying photovoltaic modules

Dijk

Groep

Veldhuizen

et al. 2017

Progress in Photovoltaics

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

3D‐Printing for Solar Cells

Vece

Dijk²,

Schropp

2021

3D Printing for Energy Applications

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3D Printing Technology Toward State‐Of‐The‐Art Photoelectric Devices

Zhang

Chang

et al. 2022

Adv Materials Technologies

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Photoelectric devices and components, as indispensable and increasingly significant technologies, are widely applied in energy conversion, electrocommunication, environmental detection, and so on. The rapid and accurate fabrication of optoelectronic devices and components brings severe challenges to the traditional preparation approaches. As a revolutionary emerging technology, 3D printing has unique advantages in geometric shape design and rapid prototyping in comparison with traditional manufacturing methods. Furthermore, it possesses excellent flexibility for fabrication methods and materials. To satisfy the fast‐expanding market of optoelectronic devices, the research in this field is showing an explosion of growth for 3D printing. However, systematic analysis and summary are still bleak about 3D printing in the photoelectric field despite abundant individual reports being presented. In order to point out its development status and forecast the future research direction, the relevant reports are summarized. Four categories of photoelectric devices are chosen as representative, including solar concentrators, solar cells, light emitting diodes, and photodetectors. In this article, the development and latest progress of 3D printing photoelectric devices are summarized as well as critical analyses of the challenges and opportunities are presented.

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3D-printed concentrator arrays for external light trapping on thin film solar cells

Cited by 47 publications

References 29 publications

Concepts for external light trapping and its utilization in colored and image displaying photovoltaic modules

Concepts for external light trapping and its utilization in colored and image displaying photovoltaic modules

3D‐Printing for Solar Cells

3D Printing Technology Toward State‐Of‐The‐Art Photoelectric Devices

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