Efficient photovoltaic conversion of solar energy requires optimization of both light absorption and carrier collection. This manuscript reviews theoretical studies of thin-film silicon solar cells with various kinds of ordered and disordered photonic structures. Light trapping capabilities of these systems are analyzed by means of rigorous coupled-wave analysis and compared with the so-called Lambertian limit as given by a fully randomizing light scatterer. The best photonic structures are found to require proper combinations of order and disorder, and can be fabricated starting from pre-patterned rough substrates. Carrier collection is studied by means of analytic models and by full electro-optical simulations. The results indicate that thin-film silicon solar cells can outperform bulk ones with comparable material quality, provided surface recombination is kept below a critical level, which is compatible with present-day surface passivation technologies.

Date Published: 2 May 2014
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 9127, Photonic Crystal Materials and Devices XI, 91270M (2 May 2014); doi: 10.1117/12.2054521

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9127:
Photonic Crystal Materials and Devices XI
Sergei G. Romanov; Gabriel Lozano; Dario Gerace; Christelle Monat; Hernán Ruy Míguez, Editor(s)