Light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells with photonic structures

Lucio Claudio Andreani; Angelo Bozzola; Piotr Kowalczewski; Marco Liscidini

doi:10.1117/12.2054521

2 May 2014 Light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells with photonic structures

Lucio Claudio Andreani, Angelo Bozzola, Piotr Kowalczewski, Marco Liscidini

Proceedings Volume 9127, Photonic Crystal Materials and Devices XI; 91270M (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2054521
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2014, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

Efficient photovoltaic conversion of solar energy requires optimization of both light absorption and carrier collection. This manuscript reviews theoretical studies of thin-film silicon solar cells with various kinds of ordered and disordered photonic structures. Light trapping capabilities of these systems are analyzed by means of rigorous coupled-wave analysis and compared with the so-called Lambertian limit as given by a fully randomizing light scatterer. The best photonic structures are found to require proper combinations of order and disorder, and can be fabricated starting from pre-patterned rough substrates. Carrier collection is studied by means of analytic models and by full electro-optical simulations. The results indicate that thin-film silicon solar cells can outperform bulk ones with comparable material quality, provided surface recombination is kept below a critical level, which is compatible with present-day surface passivation technologies.

Citation Download Citation

Lucio Claudio Andreani, Angelo Bozzola, Piotr Kowalczewski, and Marco Liscidini "Light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells with photonic structures", Proc. SPIE 9127, Photonic Crystal Materials and Devices XI, 91270M (2 May 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2054521

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