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Improving spectral modification for applications in solar cells: A review

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  • Day, Joseph
  • Senthilarasu, S.
  • Mallick, Tapas K.

Abstract

The spectral mismatch between solar cells and incident radiation is a fundamental factor limiting their efficiencies. There exist materials and luminescent processes which can modify the incident sunlight’s properties to better suit the cell’s optimal absorption regions. This makes for an interesting area of research and promising technique for enhancing the efficiency of solar cells which is important for environmental reasons. It is intended for this review to provide the reader with historical and up-to-date developments of the application of spectral modification to solar cells and contribute to growing its impact on real-world PV devices. We concisely outline the underlying principles of three spectral modification processes: upconversion (UC), downconversion (DC) and luminescent downshifting (LDS). For each section we present up to date experimental results for applications to a range of solar PV technologies and discuss their drawbacks. With particular focus on UC, we then review how nanostructures or integrated optics might overcome these problems. Finally, we discuss practical challenges associated with advancing this approach for commercialisation and opportunities spectral modification presents; namely where future research should focus and via a cost analysis with a simple formula that can be used to determine financial viability for the deployment of this technology.

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  • Day, Joseph & Senthilarasu, S. & Mallick, Tapas K., 2019. "Improving spectral modification for applications in solar cells: A review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 186-205.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:132:y:2019:i:c:p:186-205
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.07.101
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    1. Ahmad, Lujean & Khordehgah, Navid & Malinauskaite, Jurgita & Jouhara, Hussam, 2020. "Recent advances and applications of solar photovoltaics and thermal technologies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    2. Zhang, Chunxiao & Shen, Chao & Yang, Qianru & Wei, Shen & Lv, Guoquan & Sun, Cheng, 2020. "An investigation on the attenuation effect of air pollution on regional solar radiation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 570-578.
    3. Katarzyna Znajdek & Natalia Gwardjan & Aleksandra Sosna-Głębska & Maciej Sibiński, 2021. "Spray Coating Luminescence Layers on Glass for Si Solar Cells Efficiency Enhancement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-11, October.
    4. Liang, Tao & Fu, Tong & Hu, Cong & Chen, Xiaohang & Su, Shanhe & Chen, Jincan, 2021. "Optimum matching of photovoltaic–thermophotovoltaic cells efficiently utilizing full-spectrum solar energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 942-952.
    5. Gupta, Sowmya & Rajhans, Chinmay & Duttagupta, Siddhartha P. & Mitra, Mira, 2021. "Hybrid energy design for lighter than air systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 781-794.
    6. Diniz, Filipe L.J. & Vital, Caio V.P. & Gómez-Malagón, Luis A., 2022. "Parametric analysis of energy and exergy efficiencies of a hybrid PV/T system containing metallic nanofluids," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 51-65.

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