Improvement in multi‐crystalline silicon solar cell efficiency via addition of luminescent material to EVA encapsulation layer

Klampaftis, Efthymios; Richards, Bryce S.

doi:10.1002/pip.1019

Cited by 125 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…3 Theory: use of fluorescent dyes in silicone PV encapsulant Fluorescent dyes can be used to guide light to PV cells [10], and addition of small amounts of fluorescent dye to PV encapsulants offers a method of adding colour at minimal cost, with minimal change in PV efficiency [11]. Figure 2 shows light incident on a PV cell that is encapsulated in material containing Lumogen Red 300, fluorescent dye.…”

Section: Aimmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Improvements in dye colour intensity and PV performance will be achieved through use of a PV encapsulant in which the Lumogen dyes retain their fluorescence properties. Sheets of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) can be used as a host for Lumogen dyes [11]. Encapsulation with EVA requires use of a PV lamination process to apply heat and pressure, but the kiln firing processes that were used to fix the glass paint onto the testpiece, warped the glass surface.…”

Section: Electricity Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Improving the aesthetics of photovoltaics in decorative architectural glass

Hardy

Roaf

Richards

2014

WIT Transactions on the Built Environment

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Increasing colour variety in photovoltaics can improve the uptake of this renewable technology, which is vital to the creation of sustainable architecture. However, the introduction of colour into photovoltaics often involves increased cost and decreased efficiency. A method was found to add colour to photovoltaics, using luminescent materials: fluorescent organic dyes (BASF Lumogen). These selectively absorb and emit light, giving a good balance between colour addition and electricity production from underlying photovoltaic cells. Very small amounts of Lumogen dye were added to a silicone encapsulant (Dow Corning Sylgard 184), which was then used hold photovoltaic cells in place between sheets of painted glass. When making sufficient quantities of dyed encapsulant for a 600 x 450 mm testpiece, the dye colours faded, with low levels of fluorescence, although some colour was retained. Improvement of the method, including testing of alternative encapsulant materials, is required, to ensure that the dyes continue to fluoresce within the encapsulant. Although the Lumogen dyes are quite stable when compared to other dye molecules, in general organic dyes are not yet sufficiently durable to make this technology viable for installations that are to last for more than 20 years: the guaranteed lifetime of standard photovoltaic modules. Dye replenishment, or replacement of materials, will be required; or a product with a shorter 'useful' lifetime identified. This method opens up a wide variety of architectural glass design opportunities that incorporate photovoltaics, providing an example of one new medium to make eco-architecture more aesthetically pleasing, whilst generating electricity.

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Section: Aimmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Electricity Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the aesthetics of photovoltaics in decorative architectural glass

Hardy

Roaf

Richards

2014

WIT Transactions on the Built Environment

Self Cite

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“…Improvements in dye colour intensity and PV performance could be achieved through the use of a PV encapsulant in which the Lumogen dyes retain their fluorescence properties. Sheets of EVA can be used as a host for Lumogen dyes [20]. Encapsulation with EVA requires use of a PV lamination process to apply heat and pressure, but the kiln firing processes that were used to fix the glass paint onto the test piece warped the glass surface.…”

Section: Dye Fluorescencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the addition of dyes to Sylgard 184 was unsuccessful in this instance, it has been demonstrated that the same dyes can enhance PV performance when used within dyed encapsulant that is applied over and around c-Si PV cells [20,21].…”

Section: Further Developmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some of the emitted light is reflected between the two glass surfaces in front of, and behind, the PV cells, in a process of total internal reflection. This process transports light to the PV cell from adjacent areas, meaning that the loss of light transmission through the surface layer, due to addition of colour, is compensated for by transport of light from areas adjacent to the PV cell, so that the overall device efficiency can be increased [20,21].…”

Section: Use Of Fluorescent Dyes In Silicone Pv Encapsulantmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrating photovoltaic cells into decorative architectural glass using traditonal glasspainting techniques and fluorescent dyes

Hardy¹,

Roaf²,

Richards³

2015

Int. J. SDP

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Photovoltaic (PV) cells can be integrated into decorative glass, providing a showcase for this renewable technology, whilst assisting in the creation of sustainable architecture through generation of electricity from the building surface. However, traditional, opaque, square, crystalline-silicon solar cells contrast strongly with their surroundings when incorporated into translucent, coloured glazing. Methods of blending PV cells into their surroundings were developed, using traditional glass painting techniques. A design was created in which opaque paint was applied to the areas of glass around underlying PV cells. Translucent, platinum paint was used on the glass behind the PV cells. This covered the grey cell backs whilst reflecting light and movement. The platinum paint was shown to cause a slight increase in power produced by PV cells placed above it. To add colour, very small amounts of Lumogen F dye (BASF) were incorporated into a silicone encapsulant (Dow Corning, Sylgard 184), which was then used to hold PV cells in place between sheets of painted glass. Lumogen dyes selectively absorb and emit light, giving a good balance between colour addition and electricity production from underlying PV cells. When making sufficient quantities of dyed encapsulant for a 600 ? 450 mm test piece, the brightness of the dye colours faded and fluorescence decreased, although some colour was retained. Improvement of the method, including testing of alternative encapsulant materials, is required, to ensure that the dyes continue to fluoresce within the encapsulant. In contrast, the methods of adding opacity variation to glass, through the use of glass painting, are straightforward to develop for use in a wide variety of PV installations. Improvement of these methods opens up a wide variety of architectural glass design opportunities with integrated PV, providing an example of one new medium to make eco-architecture more aesthetically pleasing, whilst generating electricity.

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