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Novel approaches of light management in thin-film silicon solar cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Janez Krc ,
M. Zeman ,
A. Campa ,
F. Smole  and
M. Topic
Janez Krc
Affiliation:
janez.krc@fe.uni-lj.si, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Dep. of Electronics, Trzaska 25, Ljubljana, N/A, 1000, Slovenia
M. Zeman
Affiliation:
m.zeman@tudelft.nl, Delft University of Technology - DIMES, Delft, N/A, P.O. Box 5053 2600 GB, Netherlands
A. Campa
Affiliation:
andrej.campa@fe.uni-lj.si, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska 25, Ljubljana, N/A, 1000, Slovenia
F. Smole
Affiliation:
franc.smole@fe.uni-lj.si, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska 25, Ljubljana, N/A, 1000, Slovenia
M. Topic
Affiliation:
marko.topic@fe.uni-lj.si, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska 25, Ljubljana, N/A, 1000, Slovenia
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Abstract

In order to improve light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells two novel approaches are investigated in this article: angle-selective management of light scattering inside the solar cell and wavelength-selective manipulation of high reflectance or transmittance of light. Diffraction gratings are analyzed as a representative of the first approach. Haze and angular distribution function of scattered (diffracted) light in reflection are measured for aluminum-based rectangular periodic gratings with different period and height of the rectangles. High haze values in specific wavelength region and scattering angles of the investigated gratings measured in air and water agree very well with the theoretical predictions. Considering the actual optical situation in microcrystalline silicon solar cells, optimal period and height of the rectangular gratings applied as a back reflector are calculated for obtaining the total reflection at the front interfaces. In the frame of the second approach, photonic-crystal-like structures are introduced. By means of optical simulations photonic-crystal-like structures are investigated for two possible applications: an intermediate reflector in a micromorph silicon solar cell with wavelength-selective reflectivity and a dielectric back reflector with a high reflectance in the long-wavelength region. The photonic crystal structure consisting of sequences of n-doped amorphous silicon and ZnO layers is designed for the efficient intermediate reflector. For the back reflector with a high reflectance the structures with intrinsic amorphous silicon, SiO2, MgF2 and TiO2 are proposed.

Keywords

photovoltaicoptical propertiessimulation
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 910: Symposium A – Amorphous and Polycrystalline Thin-Film Silicon Science and Technology – 2006 , 2006 , 0910-A25-01
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

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