Lowering the Temperature and Increasing the Fill Factor of Silicon Solar Cells by Filtering of Sub-Bandgap Wavelengths

Or Gindi (), Zeev Fradkin (), Anat Itzhak and Peter Beker ()
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Or Gindi: Department of Chemical Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, Ashdod 77245, Israel
Zeev Fradkin: Department of Electronics Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, Ashdod 77245, Israel
Anat Itzhak: Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
Peter Beker: Department of Electronics Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, Ashdod 77245, Israel

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-15

Abstract: Silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) cells are currently the most prevalent and cost-effective solution for solar energy generation. Given their dominance in the market and the extensive research dedicated to them, they are ideal targets for efficiency enhancement through innovative yet straightforward methods. This study explores the potential for improving the efficiency of these cells by managing the PV’s temperature using an infrared (IR) filter. The filter allows photons that can generate free electron–hole pairs to pass while reflecting those with wavelengths below the semiconductor bandgap, which otherwise contribute to performance degradation. Various techniques were applied, including I–V analysis, impedance measurements, and atmospheric scanning electron microscope (Air-SEM) observations, to examine the temperature’s impact on silicon PVs. By integrating IR filters, the results showed a 3% increase in the fill factor and a temperature reduction of approximately 10 degrees Celsius. These findings highlight the potential of this cooling approach for silicon cells, which can enhance the cell’s longevity and efficiency, paving the way for future industrial applications.

Keywords: climate change; renewable energy; infrared; filter; solar cell efficiency; silicon; photovoltaics; PV; I–V; impedance; Air-SEM (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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