Moore, David, Rahman, Mahfujur, Dowling, Denis P. ORCID: 0000-0001-7853-2478, McNally, Patrick J. ORCID: 0000-0003-2798-5121 and Brabazon, Dermot ORCID: 0000-0003-3214-6381 (2013) Laser machined macro and micro structures on glass for enhanced light trapping in solar cells. Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing, 110 (3). pp. 661-665. ISSN 1432-0630
Abstract
In order to increase the efficiency of solar cell modules it is necessary to make the optimum use of light incident upon them. Much research has been done on improving light absorption through front surface texturisation and light trapping schemes. Laser light is commonly used in industry for various applications including marking and texturisation. By controlling laser parameters, it is possible to tailor macro and micro structures in most materials. The CO2 laser used in this investigation emits radiation at 10.6 μm with the ability to pulse in the micro-second range. The laser was used to ablate grooved textures in the fused quartz material, used in this study as the light trapping medium, following which an analysis of the effects of the laser parameters on the texture geometry and surface morphology was performed through a combination of cross sectioning and scanning electron microscopy. Transmission through the textured glass was improved for most samples after acid etching. The light trapping effects of the best performing textures were analysed by investigating the effects on a silicon solar cell’s performance at varying angles of incidence. Results indicated a significant increase in light trapping when light was incident at acute angles. For an angle of incidence of 10◦ a relative increase in efficiency of up to 51 % was observed.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article (Published) |
---|---|
Refereed: | Yes |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | Surfaces; Solar cells |
Subjects: | Engineering > Materials Engineering > Mechanical engineering Engineering > Electronics |
DCU Faculties and Centres: | DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Engineering and Computing > School of Electronic Engineering DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Engineering and Computing > School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering |
Publisher: | Springer Verlag |
Official URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00339-012-7147-4 |
Copyright Information: | © 2013 Springer. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com |
Use License: | This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. View License |
ID Code: | 20538 |
Deposited On: | 01 Apr 2015 10:06 by Fran Callaghan . Last Modified 11 Jun 2021 10:57 |
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