Projects / Programmes
Advanced optical concepts of thin-film solar cells
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.03.03 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Energy engineering |
Renewable resources and technologies |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T140 |
Technological sciences |
Energy research |
renewable energy sources, photovoltaics, thin-film solar cells, advanced optical concepts, photonic crystals, diffraction gratings, white dielectrics, antireflecting coatings, textured interfaces
Researchers (5)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
18180 |
PhD Kristijan Brecl |
Energy engineering |
Researcher |
2008 - 2011 |
151 |
| 2. |
23406 |
PhD Boštjan Glažar |
Energy engineering |
Researcher |
2008 - 2011 |
40 |
| 3. |
19221 |
PhD Janez Krč |
Energy engineering |
Head |
2008 - 2011 |
410 |
| 4. |
15463 |
PhD Urša Opara Krašovec |
Electronic components and technologies |
Researcher |
2008 - 2011 |
264 |
| 5. |
12609 |
PhD Marko Topič |
Energy engineering |
Researcher |
2008 - 2011 |
1,082 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The project proposal is focused on the design, analysis and optimisation of advanced optical concepts for thin-film solar cells. The novel concepts will be verified on two types of thin-film solar cells: silicon and dye sensitised solar cells. In silicon solar cells the concept of one-dimensional photonic crystals and diffraction gratings will be introduced and realised. By means of numerical simulations a detailed optical analysis of the proposed structures will be carried out. New solutions dealing with the white dielectric reflectors will be proposed and analysed. In the frame of the dye sensitised solar cells we will investigate the role of additional back (or intermediate) reflector, antireflecting coatings at the front side of the structures and additional light scattering introduced in the solar cell structures.
Significance for science
Research and development in the field of photovoltaics as one of the most promising long-term Renewable Energy Source solutions for electricity supply has immense importance for sustainable evolution in energy sector in Europe and Slovenia. Photovoltaics rapidly grows into an economy sector that grows on average between 30 – 40 % per year. It increases quality and reliability of electricity supply, since it covers the peak demand and locally creates jobs.
The very beginning of Slovenian photovoltaic industry has been initiated and supported by our research group as the largest and internationally recognized PV R&D group in Slovenia. In the last years the company BISOL d.o.o. started production of wafer-based crystalline silicon PV modules, Trimo d.d. released a new family of building elements with integrated flexible thin-film PV modules, ETI Elektroelement d.d. started development of DC fuses, Kon Tiki Solar d.o.o., Genera d.d., Gryps d.o.o., Chemitrade d.o.o., … are focusing on engineering. They all plan new concepts of PV products, which will be strongly export oriented.
Our contribution to the development of science is reflected also in invited talks at specialized international conferences and invited lectures at other universities and institutes around the globe.
Significance for the country
Energy situation will certainly strongly affect the future of economic development in Slovenia. Resources of conventional energy sources become scarce, their harmful use accelerates climate change and environmental pollution. Energy sustainability of individual countries on macro-economical level and of individual residential areas or houses on micro-economical level will importantly affect the socioeconomic system. The question of reliable, efficient and upmost sustainable and environmentally friendly energy supply will tailor the development and competitiveness also in Slovenia.
The research project is important for Slovenia from the following criteria:
- development and transfer of knowledge to Slovenian research area
- introduction of ecologically natural energy sources,
- contribution to new solutions and concepts of photovoltaic devices,
- affirmation of Slovenian research community in international arena.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
2009,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
2009,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
