Increased mc-Si module efficiency using fluorescent organic dyes: A ray-tracing study

Keith R. Mcintosh, Bryce S. Richards

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    19 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Ray tracing is used to determine how the inclusion of BASF's fluorescent organic dyes might benefit a multicrystalline silicon module. These dyes absorb shortwavelength photons and re-emit them at wavelengths that are longer and more favourable to the module. This down-shifting prevents many photons from being absorbed by the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant, the cells' antireflective coating, and the "dead layer" of the cells' emitter. We find that under one-sun AM1.5g illumination, the inclusion of organic dyes might raise the short-circuit current density by as much as 0.7 mA/cm 2, which equates to an efficiency boost of 0.3% absolute. A further increase of 0.1 mA/cm2 is attained by thickening the antireflective coating so that it is optimised for the new spectrum. It is shown that the incorporation of fluorescent dyes slightly increases the optimal emitter doping of the solar cells.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationConference Record of the 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4
    PublisherIEEE Computer Society
    Pages2108-2111
    Number of pages4
    ISBN (Print)1424400163, 9781424400164
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2006
    Event2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4 - Waikoloa, HI, United States
    Duration: 7 May 200612 May 2006

    Publication series

    NameConference Record of the 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4
    Volume2

    Conference

    Conference2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityWaikoloa, HI
    Period7/05/0612/05/06

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