Could spectral converters really enhance photovoltaics?

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the potential of spectral converters to improve photovoltaic efficiency, concluding they are more promising for concentrated PV systems than flat-panel ones, and emphasizing the need for targeted research in this area.

Contribution

It provides a critical assessment of spectral converters' applicability, highlighting their limited role in flat-panel PVs and potential benefits for concentrated photovoltaics.

Findings

Spectral converters are unlikely to benefit flat-panel PVs.

Concentrated PV systems could gain from spectral converter integration.

Further research should focus on spectral converters for CPV technology.

Abstract

Spectral converters have been proposed as a tool to achieve high efficiencies from Silicon photovoltaics(PV). Even though from the scientifical point of view it could be interesting to acomplish that, scientists should concentrate effort to invest in materials that can provide more return: in the case of spectral converters, they are very unlikely to have a place in flat-panel PV's. However, concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) technology may get a boost from such devices, an more attention should be driven to this goal.