Antireflection properties of nanostructured coatings on SiO2 for use in solar cells
Yu.E. Geints, E.K. Panina
V.E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, Tomsk, Russia
Keywords: solar cell, nanostructured coating, optical loss, numerical simulation
Abstract
The main problem in solar energy is reducing optical losses due to light reflection from the surface of photovoltaic cells. This paper presents the results of a numerical study of antireflection properties of nanostructured silicon dioxide (SiO2) coatings deposited on the surface of a solar cell. Two types of porous antireflection coatings are considered: a multilayer assembly of nanospheres and vertical air nanopores embedded in a continuous silicon dioxide layer. The light transmission efficiency is assessed depending on the thickness and structural design of the antireflection coating. It is found that the efficiency of solar energy conversion into electricity can significantly vary across different spectral ranges for the same antireflection coating type. It is shown that a coating made of vertical nanopores in most cases provides more efficient conversion of incident light compared to a porous layer formed by an ordered microassembly of nanospheres. The results are important for the development of more efficient solar cells and can be used to create anti-reflective coatings to improve the overall performance of photovoltaic devices.
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