Insufficient utilization of the solar spectrum in commonly
employed
solar cells, stemming from a spectral mismatch between the solar spectrum
and the solar cell’s band gap, poses a barrier to enhancing
solar cell efficiency. To overcome this challenge, downconverting
silicate phosphors are employed in solar cells to capture the infrared
spectrum of sunlight, thereby augmenting solar cell efficiency. Downconversion/downshifting
involves in converting high-energy photons into one or two near-infrared
(NIR) photons. Remarkably, silicate-based downconverting phosphors
enhance solar cell sensitization, light scattering, antireflectivity,
and stability. This review delves into the various energy transfer
mechanisms utilized in silicate phosphors. The key aspects covered
in this review encompass the development of silicate phosphors that
emit NIR light and their synthesis process. The working principle
of the solar cell and its parameters are discussed. The impacts of
silicate phosphor size, coverage, volume concentration, and arrangement
on solar cell performance are also explored. Furthermore, the study
addresses several intriguing approaches for developing innovative
silicate phosphors to enhance solar cell performance.