Glass engineering to enhance Si solar cells: a case study of Pr$^{3+}$-Yb$^{3+}$ codoped tellurite-tungstate as spectral converter

TL;DR

This study investigates tellurite-tungstate glasses doped with Pr$^{3+}$ and Yb$^{3+}$, exploring their potential as spectral converters to improve silicon solar cell efficiency, but finds intrinsic energy transfer losses limit their effectiveness.

Contribution

The paper provides a detailed spectroscopic analysis of Pr$^{3+}$-Yb$^{3+}$ doped tellurite-tungstate glasses and discusses their potential and limitations as spectral converters for solar energy enhancement.

Findings

Energy transfer processes are difficult to control, leading to intrinsic losses.

Adding Ag nanoparticles quenches Yb$^{3+}$ fluorescence, affecting spectral conversion.

Glass design improvements and bifacial cells may better enhance solar energy production.

Abstract

Spectral converters are known to increase photovoltaic energy conversion by minimizing losses due to fundamental non-absorption and thermalization processes, and have been suggested to surpass the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit in single junction solar cells. Here we present a detailed spectroscopic study of photoluminescence in tellurite-tungstate glasses doped and codoped with $Pr^{3+}-Yb^{3+}$ and $Ag$ nanoparticles. The energy transfer mechanisms between $Pr^{3+}$ and $Yb^{3+}$ are discussed based on the near infrared emission under excitation at $442$ nm and on the upconversion emission under excitation at $980$ nm. Fluorescence quenching of $^2 F_{5/2}$ level of $Yb^{3+}$ is observed by increasing the concentration of $Pr^{3+}$, as well as by the addition of $Ag$ nanoparticles. In addition, a discussion on the potential of this glass to increase energy production in spectral converters is presented. The results suggest that the few undesirable energy transfer processes occurring in this material are difficult to be controlled or eliminated properly, resulting in intrinsic losses. This discussion is extended to the potential of glass science to enhance energy production in solar cells, showing that newer designs such as bifacial cells may facilitate the exploration of glasses other than soda-lime for mass production of solar cells. The focus on extending the lifespan by reducing UV induced degradation seems to be a more effective approach than the development of spectral converters for Si solar cells.