Modeling Spectrally-Selective Reflection for Thermal Management in Monofacial and Bifacial Modules

Journal Article · 13 June 2020 · Conference record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/pvsc45281.2020.9300678 · OSTI ID:1785665

Slauch, Ian M. ^[1]; Deceglie, Michael G. ^[2]; Silverman, Timothy J ^[2]; Ferry, Vivian E.  ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States); University of Minnesota
2. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
3. Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)

Parasitic absorption in photovoltaic modules is a major source of waste heat, which drives operating temperatures 20-30K above ambient. Spectrally-selective sub-bandgap reflection can reduce parasitic absorption, thereby improving module efficiency and power output. In this paper, we investigate the performance of 1-D spectrally-selective mirrors in monofacial Al BSF and PERC modules, and bifacial PERC modules. In monofacial modules, these mirrors offer >1.2% increase in energy yield compared to single-layer anti-reflection coatings, while cooling by over 1K on average. Mirrors reduced bifacial module parasitic absorption by up to 34 W/m² out of 1240 W/m² incident.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
• Grant/Contract Number: EE0008542
• OSTI ID: 1785665
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1768266
• Journal Information: Conference record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Journal Name: Conference record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference Vol. 2020; ISSN 0160-8371
• Publisher: IEEECopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English