Abstract
The efficiency of a crystalline silicon solar module decreases as its operating temperature rises. Module cooling is possible via selective reflection of sub-bandgap photons so that they are not parasitically absorbed. Selecting from a library of common dielectrics, we numerically optimize the design of two-layer mirrors at the outer glass surface of a crystalline Si solar cell module. The mirrors are designed to maximize the annual energy yield of a module by both reflecting light below the bandgap and enhancing the transmission of light above the bandgap. Combined ray-tracing and finite element simulations determine the power output and temperature of the module over time. Since any two-layer mirror would replace a conventional single-layer glass anti-reflection coating on the module glass, we study the ability of a two-layer structure to improve on a single-layer coating. The best two-layer designs improve the annual energy yield over a module with a glass anti-reflection coating and reduce the module operating temperature.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | New Concepts in Solar and Thermal Radiation Conversion and Reliability |
Editors | Jeremy N. Munday, Michael D. Kempe, Peter Bermel |
Publisher | SPIE |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781510620896 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2018 |
Event | New Concepts in Solar and Thermal Radiation Conversion and Reliability 2018 - San Diego, United States Duration: Aug 19 2018 → Aug 21 2018 |
Publication series
Name | Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering |
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Volume | 10759 |
ISSN (Print) | 0277-786X |
ISSN (Electronic) | 1996-756X |
Conference
Conference | New Concepts in Solar and Thermal Radiation Conversion and Reliability 2018 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | San Diego |
Period | 8/19/18 → 8/21/18 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018 SPIE.
Keywords
- Anti-reflection
- Cooling
- Photonic structures
- Selective reflection
- Solar cells
- Solar modules
- Solar thermal management