Transparent Photovoltaic Cell Layout With Controlled Light Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photovoltaic devices integrated into window panes require high transparency while maintaining aesthetic appeal, but existing technologies like organic solar cells and perovskite solar cells suffer from limited efficiency and unwanted tint, and dewetting techniques result in uncontrolled light scattering.
Innovation Solution
A method of forming a photovoltaic device with a photoactive layer comprising pre-selected locations or distributions of light-absorbing and non-light-absorbing regions, allowing for controlled optical properties and reduced scattering, achieved through selective creation or removal techniques such as printing, patterning, or etching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the thickness of the absorber is reduced to allow transparency, then transparency is improved, but the absorption coefficient increases from the band-gap resulting in red or brown tint
Solution Approach 1:
The photoactive layer is segmented into multiple discrete regions or islands distributed across the substrate, rather than forming a continuous layer. This segmentation allows light to pass through the gaps between regions while maintaining photoactive material in strategic locations for energy absorption, thereby achieving both transparency and avoiding unwanted tinting
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the photoactive layer are given different properties - some areas contain photoactive material while others are transparent or have different optical characteristics. This local differentiation allows the device to simultaneously achieve transparency in certain regions and light absorption in others, resolving the contradiction between transparency and aesthetic appearance
2Illumination intensity
If dewetting technique is used to increase transparency, then transparency is improved, but light scattering becomes uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The pattern of photoactive regions is pre-designed and pre-selected before fabrication, with specific locations and distributions determined in advance. This preliminary planning allows control over optical properties including light scattering characteristics, while still achieving the desired transparency through the strategic placement of photoactive material
Solution Approach 2:
The fabrication process incorporates control mechanisms that monitor and adjust the formation of photoactive regions to achieve desired optical properties. By using feedback from optical measurements during or after fabrication, the process can optimize both transparency and light scattering control
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 solution enhances transparency and aesthetic appeal by controlling the optical properties of the photovoltaic device, minimizing light scattering and maintaining efficiency, thereby providing a more aesthetically pleasing and functional building-integrated photovoltaic solution.
Implementation Method 1
a light absorbing photoactive layer
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic device comprises plural layers separated into plural cells, each comprising a region of a photoactive layer and electrodes on opposite sides thereof. Each of the regions of the photoactive layer are formed comprising a first part that comprises photoactive material and a second part that is not photoactive and that has a greater transmittance of visible light than the light absorbing photoactive material, in pre-selected locations, or in a pre-selected distribution of locations, across the region of the photoactive layer. One of the first and second parts are located in plural separate areas within the other of the first and second parts. The transparency of the photovoltaic device is increased by the transmission of light through the second part that is not photoactive.