Spray Coating Luminescence Layers on Glass for Si Solar Cells Efficiency Enhancement

Abstract

The article presents experimental research focused on the improvement of solar cells efficiency using the photoluminescence down-shifting effect. In the paper, the authors present the results of solar cells performance enhanced with the proposed solution. As light energy converted active materials, rare earth elements of europium and dysprosium were implemented. In the experiments, luminescent layers were deposited on top of photovoltaic protective glass in order to absorb the highest possible amount of ultraviolet light from the incident solar spectrum. Spray coating deposition technology with various types of ink compositions was used for process optimization. It was observed that there are optimal concentrations and solvent types for the best conversion effect and consequently, the improvement of solar cell external quantum efficiency (EQE) together with the PV cell absolute efficiency enhancement.

Keywords

• down-shifting
• photoluminescence
• external quantum efficiency
• rare earth elements
• spray-coating methods