Modeling and optimization of white paint back reflectors for thin-film silicon solar cells

Journal article (2010)

Authors

B Lipovsek External organisation
J Krc Photovoltaic Materials and Devices - EEMCS
O. Isabella Photovoltaic Materials and Devices - EEMCS
M. Zeman Photovoltaic Materials and Devices - EEMCS
M Topic External organisation
Research Group
Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (EEMCS) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2010

Language

English

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Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Department

Electrical Sustainable Energy

Research Group

Photovoltaic Materials and Devices

Abstract

Diffusive dielectric materials such as white paint have been demonstrated as effective back reflectors in the photovoltaic technology. In this work, a one-dimensional (1D) optical modeling approach for simulation of white paint films is developed and implemented in a 1D optical simulator for thin-film solar cells. The parameters of white paint, such as the paint film thickness, the pigment volume concentration (PVC), and the pigment/binder refractive index ratio (RIR), are examined and optimized to achieve the required optical properties for back reflector application. The simulation trends indicate that white paint back reflectors with sufficient film thickness and higher PVC and RIR values exhibit improved reflectivity characteristics which results in an increased long-wavelength quantum efficiency of thin-film silicon solar cells. The simulation results based on the 1D model agree very well with the experimental data obtained from reflectance measurements of various white paint compositions and quantum efficiency measurements of amorphous silicon solar cells with white paint back reflectors.