Enhanced photon harvesting in silicon multicrystalline solar cells by new lanthanide complexes as light concentrators

Abstract

Four europium complexes with enhanced luminescent properties have been synthesized. Thin transparent films of the complexes were prepared on glass panes and then were examined as efficient luminescent solar concentrators for full spectrum utilization in crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. The complexes could behave as efficient solar concentrators since they absorb UV light, where the spectral response of the crystalline silicon solar cells is low and they emit at 615 nm where the spectral response is maximum. The glass panes covered with europium complexes act as planar waveguides of the emitted light that is collected by the solar cells, which are attached to the edges of the solar concentrators. The europium complexes as solar concentrators were examined in terms of the optimum concentrations and the number of coatings, which were determined in order to evaluate the maximum performance of the solar cells. The case of multiple glass panes with europium complexes was also examined while a 28% maximum increase in the photocurrent was finally established. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.