Dielectric microconcentrators for efficiency enhancement in concentrator solar cells

Korech, Omer; Gordon, Jeffrey M.; Katz, Eugene A.; Feuermann, Daniel; Eisenberg, Naftali

doi:10.1364/ol.32.002789

Cited by 18 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Figure provides current density to voltage ( J – V ) curves for the encapsulated solar cells for different incident angles over the range of AgSbF 6 concentrations explored. All plots show a monotonic decrease in the short circuit current densities with increase in incident angle, which is a natural trend, owing to increased shading loss from the greater apparent coverage of the contacts on the surface 15b. While the EQE spectra show enhancements to the conversion efficiency in encapsulated cells, the electrical output, specifically the short circuit current density ( J SC ), reveals more complex interactions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…When overlaid on a solar cell, nonnormally incident light can be collected within the acceptance cone of the waveguides, leading to greater light collection and conversion, as compared with a uniform encapsulant. This enhancement originates from converting nonnormally incident light to quasi‐normally incident light, which specifically mitigates contact shading, an effect exacerbated at greater incident angles. However, to further enhance light collection beyond that dictated by waveguide optics, stronger light‐matter interactions are needed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Direct Light‐Writing of Nanoparticle‐Based Metallo‐Dielectric Optical Waveguide Arrays Over Silicon Solar Cells for Wide‐Angle Light Collecting Modules

Biria

Wilhelm

Mohseni

et al. 2019

Advanced Optical Materials

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Here presented are the properties and performance of a new metallo‐dielectric waveguide array structure as the encapsulation material for silicon solar cells. The arrays are produced through light‐induced self‐writing combined with in situ photochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Each waveguide comprises a cylindrical core consisting of a high refractive index polymer and silver nanoparticles homogenously dispersed in its medium, all of which are surrounded by a low refractive index common cladding. The waveguide array‐based films are processed directly over a silicon solar cell. Arrays with systematically varied concentration of AgSbF6 as the salt precursor are explored. The structures are tested for their wide‐angle light capture capabilities, specifically toward enhanced conversion efficiency and current production of encapsulated solar cells. Observed are increases in the external quantum efficiency, especially at wide incident angles up to 70°, and nominal increases in the short circuit current density by 1 mA cm−2 (relative to an array without nanoparticles). Enhanced light collection is explained in terms of the beneficial effect of scattering by the nanoparticles along the waveguide cores. This is a promising approach toward solar cell encapsulants that aid to increase solar cell output over both the course of the day and year.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct Light‐Writing of Nanoparticle‐Based Metallo‐Dielectric Optical Waveguide Arrays Over Silicon Solar Cells for Wide‐Angle Light Collecting Modules

Biria

Wilhelm

Mohseni

et al. 2019

Advanced Optical Materials

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“…Multi-junction GaAs solar cells have become a major power source for space application because of their excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE), strong radiation resistance and good high/low temperature performance [1,2] . Note that the front electrode typically takes up 1.4-4% of the device surface area, which is even higher in concentrating photovoltaics for terrestrial application in order to effectively collect the photogenerated current [3,4] . By adjusting the geometry of the gridlines, such as line-width, aspect ratio and interfinger spacing, the shading loss can be reduced appropriately [5][6][7] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced light absorption using inverted triangular grooved cover glasses for triple-junction GaAs solar cell modules

Liu,

Qian,

et al. 2024

Advanced Fiber Laser Conference (AFL2023)

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Triple-junction GaAs solar cells are ideal for space energy applications, owing to its high efficiency, strong radiation resistance, and good high/low temperature performance, etc. Strategies such as lattice match, bandgap match, antireflective coating and electrode design, have been extensively studied to improve the solar cell performances. Considering the system level of the photovoltaic module, V-grooves on the cover glass were proposed to reduce the reflected light power caused by the metal gridlines. Based on the light refraction, the incident light will be guided by the V-grooves to bypass the gridlines and reach the absorb region of the solar cell. The V-grooves are fabricated by femtosecond laser scribing method with an optical alignment system. As a result, the efficiency of the solar cell module is increased from 29.01% to 29.3%. The V-grooved cover glass does not introduce heterogeneous materials such as silicone, oxides, etc., and therefore maintains good irradiation resistance and mechanical strength for space applications. triple-junction GaAs solar cells, metal gridline, femtosecond laser, V-groove, anti-reflective

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“…13,14 This has been demonstrated by cloaked contacts 15,16 or effectively transparent contacts 17 and prismatic covers. 18,19 However, these technologies are associated with a more complex process chain or additional optical components and often come with additional constraints such as requirements for narrow fingers or a low maximal finger height, which limit practical application.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overcoming optical‐electrical grid design trade‐offs for cm²‐sized high‐power GaAs photonic power converters by plating technology

Helmers,

Oliva,

Schachtner

et al. 2024

Progress in Photovoltaics

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The optimization of III‐V‐based photovoltaic cells involves addressing the trade‐off between optical losses due to grid shading and electrical losses due to series resistance. In this work, we overcome the boundary conditions of this optimization problem by increasing the grid line height. Contrary to a few micrometer high evaporated metal grid lines, distributed circuit modeling of 1‐cm2 GaAs photonic power converters suggests that 15‐μm high grid lines yield the best performances, especially for high‐current operation in the 1 to 10 A cm−2 range. We have successfully implemented a silver plating process into the fabrication scheme of these devices. Current–voltage measurements under intense illumination demonstrate fill factors above 80% at currents up to 35.8 A, highlighting the capability to extract such high currents without major series resistance losses. Under equivalent monochromatic input power of 62.6 W, this results in a maximum power output of 35.5 W from the 1‐cm2 single‐junction photovoltaic cell. This development enables optical power links with largely increased power densities, reducing the material demand of precious semiconductors and associated costs.

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Dielectric microconcentrators for efficiency enhancement in concentrator solar cells

Cited by 18 publications

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Direct Light‐Writing of Nanoparticle‐Based Metallo‐Dielectric Optical Waveguide Arrays Over Silicon Solar Cells for Wide‐Angle Light Collecting Modules

Direct Light‐Writing of Nanoparticle‐Based Metallo‐Dielectric Optical Waveguide Arrays Over Silicon Solar Cells for Wide‐Angle Light Collecting Modules

Enhanced light absorption using inverted triangular grooved cover glasses for triple-junction GaAs solar cell modules

Overcoming optical‐electrical grid design trade‐offs for cm²‐sized high‐power GaAs photonic power converters by plating technology

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Dielectric microconcentrators for efficiency enhancement in concentrator solar cells

Cited by 18 publications

References 0 publications

Direct Light‐Writing of Nanoparticle‐Based Metallo‐Dielectric Optical Waveguide Arrays Over Silicon Solar Cells for Wide‐Angle Light Collecting Modules

Direct Light‐Writing of Nanoparticle‐Based Metallo‐Dielectric Optical Waveguide Arrays Over Silicon Solar Cells for Wide‐Angle Light Collecting Modules

Enhanced light absorption using inverted triangular grooved cover glasses for triple-junction GaAs solar cell modules

Overcoming optical‐electrical grid design trade‐offs for cm2‐sized high‐power GaAs photonic power converters by plating technology

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Overcoming optical‐electrical grid design trade‐offs for cm²‐sized high‐power GaAs photonic power converters by plating technology