Efficiency enhancement of solar cells by luminescent up-conversion of sunlight

Date

2006

Authors

Trupke, Thorsten
Shalav, Avi
Wurfel, P
Green, Martin Andrew

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

Significant improvements in the efficiency of solar cells by combination with luminescent up- or down-converters have recently been predicted theoretically. Here, we extend the theoretical analysis of the limiting efficiency of the up-conversion (UC)-system to realistic Airmass spectra and analyse the spectral robustness of the UC-system. We also present initial experimental results from prototypes involving bifacial silicon solar cells with UC-phosphors attached to the rear surface, and discuss the possibility of realizing efficient UC with low-band-gap solar cells in combination with a light emitting diode.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: Energy efficiency; Light emission; Light emitting diodes; Luminescence; Phosphors; Solar equipment; Airmass spectra; Limiting efficiency; Up-conversion; Up-conversion (UC)-system; Silicon solar cells Limiting efficiency; Silicon solar cells; Up-conversion

Citation

Source

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2037-12-31