Numerical study of sodalime and PDMS hemisphere photonic structures for radiative cooling of silicon solar cells

Abstract

This paper numerically explores the capability of an all-photonic approach to enhance radiative cooling, UV and sub-bandgap reflection, and light trapping as a path to improve solar cells efficiency. The structure is based on hemispheres and a flat surface placed on a silicon photovoltaic cell. The study considers two materials commonly used in panel covers: soda-lime glass and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). A numerical approach based on the rigorous coupled-wave analysis method and an electrical-thermal model predicts maximum power improvements of 18.1% and 19.7% when using soda-lime and PDMS hemispheres, respectively, as well as a cell’s temperature reduction of 4 °C, compared to a glass encapsulated solar cell.