In this study, we present a new approach to increase the spectral response of a silicon solar cell by exploiting the size-dependent refractive index of quantum dots. Compared to a conventional luminescent downshifting layer (LDS), our LDS design allows for thicker films and thus a higher optical absorption at the LDS layer while the reflectance is reduced. Our simulations demonstrate that a multi-size QD design outperforms the optimum single-size structure by reducing the average reflectance from 5.85% to 2.63% and increasing the total thickness from 82 nm to 138 nm when compared to the latter.
In this work, we present a comprehensive individual modeling approach to investigate the optical properties of a Perovskite solar cell by the ellipsometry analysis of a Methylammonium Lead Iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite/PEDOT:PSS/ITO film stack on a glass substrate. The absorption coefficient obtained from the model was compared to the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy measured absorption spectra, while the optical constants are compared with values reported in literature. We propose that spectroscopic ellipsometry characterization can be used at the different stages of the PSCs fabrication process in order to understand the different mechanisms that impact the final performance of a photovoltaic device.
In order to maximize the power output of a solar cell, the front surface metallization must efficiently transmit the solar cell generated power while minimizing the shadowing losses arising from the grid pattern area. In this work, the sheet resistivity of the emitter and finger spacing aspects are neglected and instead, the optimization of finger and busbar geometry is considered analytically to minimize the total power losses. It is found that linearly tapered (triangular) contacts are the most efficient geometry and that the position of the busbar highly influences the maximum cell output. To study the influence of the optimized contacts on the performance of a solar cell, a shadow mask was designed, and boron emitter n-type silicon solar cells were fabricated with the optimized contacts.
The present study details the synthesis and characterization of photoluminescent ZnO quantum dots (QDs) and their effect in the performance of in-house-fabricated solar cells. The colloidal ZnO quantum dots were synthetized in an ethanol-based solution, where the growing dynamics was controlled by the pH of the precursor solutions with fixed reaction times. The down-shifting effects of the colloidal quantum dots were characterized by absorption and photoluminescence spectra. Additionally, the crystallographic characterization was performed employing X-ray diffraction (XRD). Planar single-crystal silicon solar cells were fabricated, and their window side was spin-cast with different pH-tuned ZnO quantum dots dispersed in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). To evaluate the impact of the aforementioned ZnO QDs films on solar cells, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) values were obtained from the J-V curves generated in a solar simulator and the short-current density (Jsc) was corroborated by external quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements. The mentioned characterization techniques indicated average PCE improvements of 8.67% using pH 10 ZnO QDs + PMMA films and as high as 14.14 % when using pH 12 ZnO QDs + PMMA films. Finally, the reflectance characterization shows a promising anti-reflection effect of the ZnO QDs + PMMA films layers.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.