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Comprehensive light trapping study of next generation thin film solar cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

Zhou Zhou ,
Jian Zhou ,
Xiaowei Sun ,
Tim Cheng ,
Shengqi Wang  and
Yasha Yi
Zhou Zhou
Affiliation:
Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Shanghai, China 200050
Jian Zhou
Affiliation:
Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Shanghai, China 200050
Xiaowei Sun
Affiliation:
Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Shanghai, China 200050
Tim Cheng
Affiliation:
3G Institute of Renewable Energy, Cambridge, MA 02141
Shengqi Wang
Affiliation:
3G Institute of Renewable Energy, Cambridge, MA 02141
Yasha Yi*
Affiliation:
3G Institute of Renewable Energy, Cambridge, MA 02141 CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY 10016 New York University, New York, NY 10012
*
*Corresponding author: yys@alum.mit.edu
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Abstract

Light trapping is one of the key challenges for the next generation of thin film solar cells. In this work, we have identified the distinct light trapping effects for short and long wavelength solar spectrum ranges, by investigating lighting trapping structures on both sides of Si thin film solar cells. The sub-wavelength moth-eye-like photonic front surface and multi-layer grating photonic crystal reflector on the bottom surface are studied in detail via the Finite Difference Time Domain method for its solar energy absorption characteristics. Our study reveals the drastic difference in the light trapping effects within the solar spectrum wavelength. This work may provide guidance for efficiency enhancement of next generation thin film photovoltaic cells.

Keywords

energy generationthin filmSi
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1303: Symposium Y – Nanomaterials Integration for Electronics, Energy and Sensing , 2011 , mrsf10-1303-y03-03
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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References

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