Transparent Solar Cell Layout for Clear Viewing and Power Output
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Transparent solar cells face a trade-off between transparency and electrical efficiency, with increased transparency leading to lower efficiency and vice versa, and existing solutions like surface roughness for light scattering are not suitable for applications requiring clear visibility, such as watchmaking.
Innovation Solution
A solar cell design featuring a transparent substrate with a first electrode having a rough inner face for light scattering and a polished second portion to minimize scattering, along with a perforated absorbent layer and second electrode to maximize transparency and electrical performance, while maintaining optimal current collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the surface roughness is increased to scatter light and optimize absorption, then electrical performance is improved, but transparency is degraded due to increased scattering factor causing blurring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface roughness characteristics to different regions of the first electrode: the central region has increased roughness for light scattering and absorption optimization, while the peripheral region maintains smoothness for transparency. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing both regions to fulfill their respective functions without compromising overall performance.
2Illumination intensity
If the perforation surface area is increased to improve transparency, then visibility is improved, but electrical efficiency is reduced due to decreased light absorption area
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent layer and second electrode are selectively perforated only in the peripheral region, leaving the central region intact for maximum light absorption. This local differentiation allows the center to maintain high electrical efficiency while the periphery provides transparency through perforations.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar cell is functionally segmented into a central active region for electricity generation and a peripheral region for transparency. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently: the center maximizes absorption area while the periphery provides visual access through perforations.
3Illumination intensity
If the perforation size is increased to enhance transparency, then visibility is improved, but electrical performance is degraded due to reduced light trapping capability
Solution Approach 1:
Perforations are implemented only in the peripheral region with controlled dimensions, while the central region maintains continuous structure for optimal light trapping. This localized approach ensures that transparency enhancements do not compromise the light absorption area critical for electrical 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
The design achieves high transparency and electrical efficiency by reducing the scattering factor and minimizing series resistance losses, allowing for clear observation and effective power generation.
Implementation Method 1
the first electrode can have a roughness on one of its faces that allows it to scatter the light and thus optimise its absorption by the absorbent layer by trapping the incident light radiation
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent layer adapted to absorb light and convert it into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A solar cell for an electronic device including a substrate made of a transparent material to be exposed to incident light, a first electrode made of transparent electrically conductive material, formed on one face of the substrate and including an inner face opposite an outer face oriented towards the substrate, the inner face including a first portion having a roughness greater than the roughness of a second portion, an absorbent layer extending by an outer face over the first portion of the inner face of the first electrode, a second electrode made of an electrically conductive material and extending over an inner face of the absorbent layer opposite the outer face of the latter, the absorbent layer and the second electrode being perforated to delimit blind cavities, the bottom of each being formed by the second portion of the inner face of the first electrode.