Light Trapping in Bifacial Solar Modules Using Effectively Transparent Contacts (ETCs)

Rebecca Saive; Thomas CR Russell; Harry Atwater

Light Trapping in Bifacial Solar Modules Using Effectively Transparent Contacts (ETCs)

Rebecca Saive, Thomas CR Russell, Harry Atwater

Complex Photonic Systems

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We have performed a computational study on the enhancement of the light absorption within bifacial solar modules with effectively transparent contacts (ETCs). ETCs are triangular cross-section silver fingers that redirect light to the active area of the solar cell and therefore, mitigate finger grid shading losses. Furthermore, ETCs can be spaced densely leading to light trapping. We used a combination of thin film and ray optical simulations and determined that light absorption can be increased by more than 4.5% compared to state-of-the-art metallization due to light trapping and effective transparency. Furthermore, we calculated that grid resistance and silver usage can be improved when using ETCs.

(PDF) Light Trapping in Bifacial Solar Modules Using Effectively Transparent Contacts (ETCs). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327344876_Light_Trapping_in_Bifacial_Solar_Modules_Using_Effectively_Transparent_Contacts_ETCs [accessed Nov 13 2018].

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 11 Jun 2018
Event	45th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2018 - Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort, Waikoloa Village, United States Duration: 10 Jun 2018 → 15 Jun 2018 Conference number: 45 http://www.ieee-pvsc.org/WCPEC-7/

Conference

Conference	45th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2018
Abbreviated title	PVSC
Country/Territory	United States
City	Waikoloa Village
Period	10/06/18 → 15/06/18
Internet address	http://www.ieee-pvsc.org/WCPEC-7/

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Cite this

@conference{abf23318f9d840dc8498d589efd3f543,

title = "Light Trapping in Bifacial Solar Modules Using Effectively Transparent Contacts (ETCs)",

abstract = "We have performed a computational study on the enhancement of the light absorption within bifacial solar modules with effectively transparent contacts (ETCs). ETCs are triangular cross-section silver fingers that redirect light to the active area of the solar cell and therefore, mitigate finger grid shading losses. Furthermore, ETCs can be spaced densely leading to light trapping. We used a combination of thin film and ray optical simulations and determined that light absorption can be increased by more than 4.5% compared to state-of-the-art metallization due to light trapping and effective transparency. Furthermore, we calculated that grid resistance and silver usage can be improved when using ETCs. (PDF) Light Trapping in Bifacial Solar Modules Using Effectively Transparent Contacts (ETCs). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327344876_Light_Trapping_in_Bifacial_Solar_Modules_Using_Effectively_Transparent_Contacts_ETCs [accessed Nov 13 2018].",

author = "Rebecca Saive and Russell, {Thomas CR} and Harry Atwater",

year = "2018",

month = jun,

day = "11",

language = "English",

note = "45th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2018, PVSC ; Conference date: 10-06-2018 Through 15-06-2018",

url = "http://www.ieee-pvsc.org/WCPEC-7/",

}

TY - CONF

T1 - Light Trapping in Bifacial Solar Modules Using Effectively Transparent Contacts (ETCs)

AU - Saive, Rebecca

AU - Russell, Thomas CR

AU - Atwater, Harry

N1 - Conference code: 45

PY - 2018/6/11

Y1 - 2018/6/11

N2 - We have performed a computational study on the enhancement of the light absorption within bifacial solar modules with effectively transparent contacts (ETCs). ETCs are triangular cross-section silver fingers that redirect light to the active area of the solar cell and therefore, mitigate finger grid shading losses. Furthermore, ETCs can be spaced densely leading to light trapping. We used a combination of thin film and ray optical simulations and determined that light absorption can be increased by more than 4.5% compared to state-of-the-art metallization due to light trapping and effective transparency. Furthermore, we calculated that grid resistance and silver usage can be improved when using ETCs. (PDF) Light Trapping in Bifacial Solar Modules Using Effectively Transparent Contacts (ETCs). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327344876_Light_Trapping_in_Bifacial_Solar_Modules_Using_Effectively_Transparent_Contacts_ETCs [accessed Nov 13 2018].

AB - We have performed a computational study on the enhancement of the light absorption within bifacial solar modules with effectively transparent contacts (ETCs). ETCs are triangular cross-section silver fingers that redirect light to the active area of the solar cell and therefore, mitigate finger grid shading losses. Furthermore, ETCs can be spaced densely leading to light trapping. We used a combination of thin film and ray optical simulations and determined that light absorption can be increased by more than 4.5% compared to state-of-the-art metallization due to light trapping and effective transparency. Furthermore, we calculated that grid resistance and silver usage can be improved when using ETCs. (PDF) Light Trapping in Bifacial Solar Modules Using Effectively Transparent Contacts (ETCs). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327344876_Light_Trapping_in_Bifacial_Solar_Modules_Using_Effectively_Transparent_Contacts_ETCs [accessed Nov 13 2018].

M3 - Paper

T2 - 45th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2018

Y2 - 10 June 2018 through 15 June 2018

ER -

Light Trapping in Bifacial Solar Modules Using Effectively Transparent Contacts (ETCs)

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

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