Open AccessOptical enhancement of a printed organic tandem solar cell using diffractive nanostructures
Author(s) -
Jan Mayer,
Ton Offermans,
Marek Chrapa,
Martin Pfannmöller,
Sara Bals,
R. Ferrini,
Giovanni Nisato
Publication year - 2018
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.26.00a240
Subject(s) - tandem , materials science , roll to roll processing , organic solar cell , energy conversion efficiency , fabrication , optoelectronics , photovoltaics , embossing , optics , solar cell , manufacturing cost , nanotechnology , photovoltaic system , polymer , composite material , medicine , ecology , alternative medicine , physics , accounting , business , pathology , biology
Solution processable organic tandem solar cells offer a promising approach to achieve cost-effective, lightweight and flexible photovoltaics. In order to further enhance the efficiency of optimized organic tandem cells, diffractive light-management nanostructures were designed for an optimal redistribution of the light as function of both wavelength and propagation angles in both sub-cells. As the fabrication of these optical structures is compatible with roll-to-roll production techniques such as hot-embossing or UV NIL imprinting, they present an optimal cost-effective solution for printed photovoltaics. Tandem cells with power conversion efficiencies of 8-10% were fabricated in the ambient atmosphere by doctor blade coating, selected to approximate the conditions during roll-to-roll manufacturing. Application of the light management structure onto an 8.7% efficient encapsulated tandem cell boosted the conversion efficiency of the cell to 9.5%.