We demonstrate a universally applicable 3D-printed external light trap for solar cells. We placed a macroscopic external light trap made of smoothened, silver coated plastic at the sun-facing surface of different types of solar cells. The trap consists of a reflective parabolic concentrator on top of a reflective cage. The trap directs the light that is reflected upwards by the solar cell back towards the solar cell. Due to this retro-reflection the light traverses the solar cell several times resulting in a broadband absorption enhancement. We present a 15-27% efficiency enhancement for crystalline silicon, thin film nanocrystalline silicon and organic solar cells.
3D-printed external light traps for solar cells / L. Van Dijk, U.W. Paetzold, G.A. Blab, E.A.P. Marcus, A.J. Oostra, J. Van De Groep, A. Polman, R.E.I. Schropp, M. Di Vece. - In: PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS. - ISSN 1099-159X. - 24:5(2015), pp. 623-633. ((Intervento presentato al 42. convegno IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC) tenutosi a New Orleans nel 2015.
3D-printed external light traps for solar cells
M. Di VeceUltimo
2015
Abstract
We demonstrate a universally applicable 3D-printed external light trap for solar cells. We placed a macroscopic external light trap made of smoothened, silver coated plastic at the sun-facing surface of different types of solar cells. The trap consists of a reflective parabolic concentrator on top of a reflective cage. The trap directs the light that is reflected upwards by the solar cell back towards the solar cell. Due to this retro-reflection the light traverses the solar cell several times resulting in a broadband absorption enhancement. We present a 15-27% efficiency enhancement for crystalline silicon, thin film nanocrystalline silicon and organic solar cells.
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