Light-Conversion Layer for Broadband Solar Spectrum Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photovoltaic systems have limitations in light conversion efficiency and are costly due to the use of expensive materials and the need for mechanical motion to optimize sunlight exposure, with existing multi-junction cells being inefficient in converting a broad range of incident light into electricity.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic system comprising a photovoltaic cell, a substrate, and a light-conversion layer where the light-conversion layer, with a material stack of alternating sub-layers including quantum nano-structures, converts broadband incident light outside the sensitive range into light within the range, enhancing the efficiency by illuminating the photovoltaic cell with converted light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-junction solar cells are used to convert different frequency ranges of light, then light conversion efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to expensive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light conversion layer as an intermediary component between the incident light and the photovoltaic cell. This layer converts broadband incident light (including UV and IR) into visible light wavelengths that match the photovoltaic cell's responsive range, thereby improving overall light conversion efficiency without requiring expensive multi-junction cell structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of incident light by using a light conversion layer with specific optical properties (absorption and emission characteristics) to transform the wavelength distribution of incident light. This allows a single-junction photovoltaic cell to effectively utilize a broader spectrum of light, achieving higher efficiency without the complex multi-junction architecture
2Productivity
If concentrated photovoltaic systems with lenses are used to focus sunlight, then light conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to mechanical motion platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex mechanical motion platform from the system by using a stationary light conversion layer that passively converts broadband light into the appropriate wavelength range for the photovoltaic cell, eliminating the need for mechanical tracking and focusing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical focusing system (lenses with motion platforms) with an optical conversion system consisting of a light conversion layer that uses photoluminescent materials to transform the spectral distribution of incident light, achieving efficient light utilization without mechanical components
3Ease of manufacture
If single-junction photovoltaic cells are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but light conversion efficiency decreases due to limited frequency response range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light conversion layer as an intermediary that bridges the gap between broadband incident light and the limited frequency response of single-junction photovoltaic cells. This layer converts UV and IR light into visible wavelengths that the single-junction cell can efficiently convert to electricity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the spectral parameters of incident light using a light conversion layer with tailored optical absorption and emission characteristics, transforming the wavelength distribution to match the photovoltaic cell's responsive range, thereby enabling single-junction cells to achieve higher conversion efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration improves the efficiency of photovoltaic systems by approximately 1% to 5% and reduces costs by utilizing a thinner, less massive light-conversion layer, while being transparent to visible light and resistant to ultraviolet exposure, thus eliminating the need for UV filters and enhancing system longevity.
Implementation Method 1
The light-conversion layer converts broadband incident light outside the range to light within the range and is emitted toward the photovoltaic cell
Implementation Method 2
The photovoltaic cell converts incident light into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic system comprises a photovoltaic cell, a substrate, and a light-conversion layer. The photovoltaic cell converts incident light into electricity and is responsive to a range of frequencies of incident light that is less than all frequencies of the incident light. The substrate is disposed between the photovoltaic cell and the incident light so that the incident light passes through the substrate to illuminate the photovoltaic cell. The light-conversion layer is disposed on the substrate so that incident light illuminates the light-conversion layer and the light-conversion layer converts a broad frequency band of incident light outside the range to light within the range and is emitted toward the photovoltaic cell to illuminate the photovoltaic cell with converted light.