Open AccessStudy on weak-light photovoltaic characteristics of solar cell with a microgroove lens array on glass substrate
Author(s) -
Ping Li,
Jianhe Xie,
Jian Cheng,
Yu Ning Jiang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.00a192
Subject(s) - optics , materials science , lens (geology) , solar cell , substrate (aquarium) , energy conversion efficiency , optoelectronics , photovoltaic system , solar cell efficiency , electrical engineering , oceanography , physics , engineering , geology
Microgroove lens with 500-800 µm in depth is proposed on the glass substrate of thin-film solar cell. The objective is to improve photovoltaic characteristics under weak-light illumination. First, the micro-optical characteristics were theoretically studied in connection with micro-lens structure; then a diamond micro-grinding was employed to fabricate microgroove lens; finally, indoor conversion efficiency and outdoor electrical generation were measured. It is shown that the 800-µm-depth microgroove lens is able to absorb and scatter the inclined light to solar cell for improving weak-light conversion efficiency. It enhances the electricity generation by 118% and 185% in cloudy and overcast days, respectively.