Increase in external quantum efficiency of encapsulated silicon solar cells from a luminescent down-shifting layer

Abstract

This paper reports the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of encapsulated screen-printed crystalline silicon solar cells, where the encapsulation includes a layer of luminescent down-shifting (LDS) molecules. At wavelengths less than 400nm, the inclusion of the LDS molecules increases the EQE from near zero to, at most, 40%. The increase in EQE corresponds to a rise in short-circuit current density of 0.37 ± 013 mA/cm2 under the AM15g spectrum. © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.