Author/Authors :
Rahman, Faiz University of Glasgow - Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, United Kingdom , Abid, Kamran University of Glasgow - Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, United Kingdom , Schmidt, Christoph Merck Research Laboratories, Germany , Pfaff, Gerhard Merck Research Laboratories, Germany , Koenig, Friedrich Merck Research Laboratories, Germany
Abstract :
We describe our development of heat-resistant solar cells made by depositing the interference filter pigment Solarflair on the surface of silicon and compound semiconductor solar cells. The coating is designed to reflect long wavelength components of solar radiation while admitting shorter wavelength visible and near-infrared components. This results in less heating of coated cells as compared to uncoated cells and consequently their maintaining high light-to-electricity conversion efficiency. Such coated cells have the potential to be usefully employed in concentrator type photovoltaic array systems. Details of the interference pigment used, coating techniques and results of measurements in simulated high heat load environments are described.
Keywords :
Solar cells , Thermal Protection , Protective Films , Interference Pigments
