Using radiative transfer equation to model absorption by thin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells with Lambertian back reflector

We investigate the optical absorption in a thin Cu(In,Ga)Se(2) solar cell with a Lambertian white paint beneath a transparent back contact. Although this configuration has been proposed more than 30 years ago, it turns out that rigorous simulation of Maxwell's equations demand powerful numerica...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Optics express 2013-02, Vol.21 (3), p.2563-2580
Main Authors: Dahan, N, Jehl, Z, Guillemoles, J F, Lincot, D, Naghavi, N, Greffet, J-J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computer Simulation
Electric Power Supplies
Energy Transfer
Engineering Sciences
Equipment Design
Equipment Failure Analysis
Lenses
Metals - chemistry
Models, Theoretical
Optics
Photonic
Physics
Scattering, Radiation
Solar Energy
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Summary:We investigate the optical absorption in a thin Cu(In,Ga)Se(2) solar cell with a Lambertian white paint beneath a transparent back contact. Although this configuration has been proposed more than 30 years ago, it turns out that rigorous simulation of Maxwell's equations demand powerful numerical calculations. This type of approach is time consuming and does not provide a physical insight in the absorption mechanisms. Here, we use the radiative transfer equation to deal with multiple scattering of the diffuse part of the light. The collimated part is treated accounting for wave effects. Our model is in good agreement with optical measurements.
ISSN:1094-4087
1094-4087
DOI:10.1364/OE.21.002563