Theoretical analysis of the performance of diffraction grating back-reflectors in infrared-sensitive solar cells

The possibility of increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) cells by using a diffraction grating as a back-reflector is investigated. An enhancement coefficient is introduced as a figure of merit that accounts for the ability of the rear grating to increase the amount of energy deposited into...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of sustainable energy Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 1 - 7
Main Authors Jakas, Mario M., Llopis, Francisco
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Taylor & Francis 01.03.2010
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
42.15Dp
42.25Fx
84.60Jt
Diffraction
diffraction gratings
Energy efficiency
light trapping
Optics
Photovoltaic cells
solar cells
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Summary:The possibility of increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) cells by using a diffraction grating as a back-reflector is investigated. An enhancement coefficient is introduced as a figure of merit that accounts for the ability of the rear grating to increase the amount of energy deposited into the active layer of the cell. According to the results in this article, a diffraction-grating-like relief on the rear face of the PV cell may reduce the intensity of the specular reflection, while favouring the intensity of high-angle rays. In this way, the path-length of reflected rays increases, and so may do the efficiency of the cell.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
ISSN:1478-6451
1478-646X
1478-646X
DOI:10.1080/14786450903302790