Towards biomimetic red solar cells

Torben Lenau; Faiz Ahmad; Akhlesh Lakhtakia

doi:10.1117/12.2513259

13 March 2019 Towards biomimetic red solar cells

Torben Lenau, Faiz Ahmad, Akhlesh Lakhtakia

Proceedings Volume 10965, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication IX; 109650E (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2513259
Event: SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, 2019, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Silicon photovoltaic solar cells generally have a black or blue appearance that makes them aesthetically very different from traditional red roofs that either comprise burned-clay tiles or composite-material shingles. Rooftop solar cells may become more acceptable if they are similar in appearance to traditional roofs. This objective requires that the red part (620–700 nm wavelength) of the incoming solar spectrum be reflected so that it becomes unavailable for photovoltaic generation of electricity. Complete reflection of red photons would result in the reduction of useful solar photons (300– 1200 nm wavelength) by 12.5%. Calculations show that the optical short-circuit density will then decline by: 17% for 100-μm-thick crystalline-silicon solar cells, 20–22% for triple-junction tandem thin-film solar cells of amorphous silicon, 15-16% for 2.2-μm-thick CIGS solar cells, and 16–20% for ultrathin CIGS solar cells. On average, the efficiency of a typical solar cell will have to be multiplied by a factor of 0.8 if all red photons were reflected. This reduction in efficiency can be offset by wider adoption of rooftop solar cells. Red-rejection filters can be made of particulate composite materials containing, say, silica nanospheres. Typically, the solar cells will be iridescent then, which may not be aesthetically pleasing to many. Non-iridescent red-rejection filters can be fabricated by upscaling the linear dimensions of biomimetic filters nano-imprinted to reproduce the Morpho blue, this possibility being guaranteed by the scale invariance of the Maxwell equations and the weak dispersion of the refractive indexes of numerous polymers in the visible spectral regime. Non-uniformly red rooftop solar cells would also become feasible.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Torben Lenau, Faiz Ahmad, and Akhlesh Lakhtakia "Towards biomimetic red solar cells", Proc. SPIE 10965, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication IX, 109650E (13 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2513259

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available