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Title: Enhancing photovoltaic output power by 3-band spectrum-splitting and concentration using a diffractive micro-optic

Journal Article · · Optics Express
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.22.0A1519· OSTI ID:1242472
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
  2. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
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We report the enhancement of photovoltaic output power by separating the incident spectrum into 3 bands, and concentrating these bands onto 3 different photovoltaic cells. The spectrum-splitting and concentration is achieved via a thin, planar micro-optical element that demonstrates high optical efficiency over the entire spectrum of interest. The optic (which we call a polychromat) was designed using a modified version of the direct-binary-search algorithm. The polychromat was fabricated using grayscale lithography. Rigorous optical characterization demonstrates excellent agreement with simulation results. Electrical characterization of the solar cells made from GaInP, GaAs and Si indicate increase in the peak output power density of 43.63%, 30.84% and 30.86%, respectively when compared to normal operation without the polychromat. This represents an overall increase of 35.52% in output power density. As a result, the potential for cost-effective large-area manufacturing and for high system efficiencies makes our approach a strong candidate for low cost solar power.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1242472
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5J00-63316; OPEXFF
Journal Information:
Optics Express, Vol. 22, Issue S6; Related Information: Optics Express; ISSN 1094-4087
Publisher:
Optical Society of America (OSA)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 15 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (10)

Design and analysis of multi-wavelength diffractive optics journal January 2012
Nanoimprint Lithography for High-Efficiency Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells journal February 2011
Spectral beam splitting for efficient conversion of solar energy—A review journal December 2013
Increased Photovoltaic Power Output via Diffractive Spectrum Separation journal March 2013
Spectral beam splitting technology for increased conversion efficiency in solar concentrating systems: a review journal October 2004
Four-junction spectral beam-splitting photovoltaic receiver with high optical efficiency
  • Mitchell, Bernhard; Peharz, Gerhard; Siefer, Gerald
  • Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, Vol. 19, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.988
journal December 2010
Photonic design principles for ultrahigh-efficiency photovoltaics journal February 2012
Recent progress in nanoimprint technology and its applications journal May 2004
Towards an optimized all lattice-matched InAlAs/InGaAsP/InGaAs multijunction solar cell with efficiency >50% journal January 2013
Analysis and design of holographic solar concentrators conference August 2008

Cited By (1)

Broadband imaging with one planar diffractive lens journal February 2018

Linked Research (2)

Figures / Tables (5)

Fig. 1(p. 3)figure Fig. 1
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Fig. 3(p. 5)figure Fig. 3
Fig. 4(p. 6)figure Fig. 4
Fig. 5(p. 7)figure Fig. 5

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Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
solar energy
diffractive optics
micro-optical devices