Solar cell packaged by a microlens array and its long-term optical efficiency enhancement

Minwoo Nam; Kangho Kim; Jaejin Lee; Sang Sik Yang; Kee-Keun Lee

doi:10.1117/12.2004016

9 March 2013 Solar cell packaged by a microlens array and its long-term optical efficiency enhancement

Minwoo Nam, Kangho Kim, Jaejin Lee, Sang Sik Yang, Kee-Keun Lee

Proceedings Volume 8614, Reliability, Packaging, Testing, and Characterization of MOEMS/MEMS and Nanodevices XII; 86140I (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2004016
Event: SPIE MOEMS-MEMS, 2013, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

A technique of mounting a microlens array (MLA) on a solar cell as an encapsulation layer is presented. The uniform cylinder-shaped MLA was fabricated through simple and cost-effective micromachining processes. The efficiency of the triple-junction InGaP/GaAs/Ge solar cell was considerably enhanced by replacing a bare glass cover with the developed MLA as a surface protection layer. This is attributed to efficient conveyance of the refractive light into bare photoactive regions of the solar cell to avoid the gridlines. Under the optimal mounting condition with an optimal height of optical spacer, the MLA effect was maximized resulting in a 16.8% increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) than that of the control device. The efficiency of the MLA-packaged solar cell remained for a long time without degradation. The MLA can therefore replace a conventional glass (or film) as a means of encapsulation layer to enhance photovoltaic performances of GaAs-based solar cells.

Citation Download Citation

Minwoo Nam, Kangho Kim, Jaejin Lee, Sang Sik Yang, and Kee-Keun Lee "Solar cell packaged by a microlens array and its long-term optical efficiency enhancement", Proc. SPIE 8614, Reliability, Packaging, Testing, and Characterization of MOEMS/MEMS and Nanodevices XII, 86140I (9 March 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2004016

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