Plasmonic Solar Cover for Optical Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical losses through traditional protective covers for solar cells, such as reflection, refraction, and absorption, reduce the efficiency of solar devices by limiting the amount of light that reaches the absorber layer.
Innovation Solution
A transparent cover is developed with a plasmonic nanostructured layer that exploits localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) to induce forward light scattering, increasing the traveling length of light through the cover and enhancing optical transmittance, while being fabricated separately to avoid thermal damage to the solar cell substructures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional protective cover is used for solar cells, then the solar cell is protected, but optical losses due to reflection, refraction and absorption reduce the amount of light reaching the solar cell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the refractive index of the protective cover material and implementing anti-reflective coatings with specific thicknesses and materials. The cover transitions from conventional glass to optimized materials with tailored optical parameters, reducing reflection losses and improving light transmission to the solar cell while maintaining protective functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple layers with different optical properties, including anti-reflective coatings on glass substrates. This multi-layer composite structure optimizes both the protective function and optical transmission, reducing reflection and absorption losses while maintaining mechanical strength and environmental protection.
2Strength
If the protective cover is made thicker for better protection, then mechanical strength improves, but optical transmission decreases due to increased absorption and refraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter of the protective cover to achieve a balance between mechanical strength and optical transmission. By carefully selecting and adjusting the thickness parameter, the design maintains adequate protective function while minimizing absorption and refraction losses, ensuring sufficient light reaches the solar cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of composite material structures allows the protective cover to achieve high mechanical strength without requiring excessive thickness. The multi-layer composite design distributes mechanical loads effectively while maintaining optimal optical transmission characteristics, resolving the trade-off between strength and light transmission.
3Illumination intensity
If anti-reflective coatings are applied to reduce reflection, then optical transmittance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes anti-reflective coating parameters including thickness, material composition, and deposition conditions to achieve effective reflection reduction. By carefully selecting coating parameters, the design improves optical transmittance while managing manufacturing complexity through standardized coating processes and materials.
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
The transparent cover significantly improves the efficiency of solar cells by increasing light absorption and traveling length through the absorber layers, enhancing overall device efficiency without degrading the electrical properties of the photovoltaic substructures.
Implementation Method 1
A transparent cover is developed with a plasmonic nanostructured layer that exploits localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) to induce forward light scattering
Implementation Method 2
induce forward light scattering, increasing the traveling length of light through the cover
Implementation Method 3
Optical loss through the cover due to reflection, refraction and absorption reduces the amount of light that reaches the solar cell
Implementation Method 4
Optical loss through the cover due to reflection, refraction and absorption reduces the amount of light that reaches the solar cell
Implementation Method 5
Optical loss through the cover due to reflection, refraction and absorption reduces the amount of light that reaches the solar cell
Implementation Method 6
Solar cells are electrical devices for direct generation of electrical current from sunlight
Data Source
AI summary
A solar cell device and a method of fabricating the same are described. The method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a photovoltaic substructure including a substrate, back contact, absorber and buffer, forming a transparent cover separate from the photovoltaic substructure including a transparent layer and a plasmonic nanostructured layer in contact with the transparent layer, and adhering the transparent cover on top of the photovoltaic substructure. The plasmonic nanostructured layer can include metal nanoparticles.