Open AccessOptical Waveguide Enhanced Photovoltaics
Author(s) -
Sven Rühle,
Shlomit Greenwald,
Elad Koren,
Arie Zaban
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.021801
Subject(s) - optics , materials science , waveguide , optoelectronics , energy conversion efficiency , photovoltaic system , absorbance , photovoltaics , planar , substrate (aquarium) , total internal reflection , physics , ecology , oceanography , computer graphics (images) , computer science , biology , geology
Enhanced light to electric power conversion efficiency of photovoltaic cells with a low absorbance was achieved using waveguide integration. We present a proof of concept using a very thin dye-sensitized solar cell which absorbed only a small fraction of the light at normal incidence. The glass substrate in conjunction with the solar cells reflecting back contact formed a planar waveguide, which lead to more than four times higher conversion efficiency compared to conventional illumination at normal incidence. This illumination concept leads to a new type of multi-junction PV systems based on enforced spectral splitting along the waveguide.