Optical waveguide enhanced photovoltaics.
Enhanced light to electric power conversion efficiency of photovoltaic cells with a low absorbance was achieved using waveguide integration. We present a proof of concept using a very thin dye-sensitized solar cell which absorbed only a small fraction of the light at normal incidence. The glass substrate in conjunction with the solar cells reflecting back contact formed a planar waveguide, which lead to more than four times higher conversion efficiency compared to conventional illumination at normal incidence. This illumination concept leads to a new type of multi-junction PV systems based on enforced spectral splitting along the waveguide.
Rühle
Sven
S
Department of Chemistry, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 52900, Israel. ruhles@mail.biu.ac.il
Greenwald
Shlomit
S
Koren
Elad
E
Zaban
Arie
A