A concept of a modulated one-dimensional photonic-crystal (PC) structure is introduced as a back reflector for thin-film solar cells. Using layers of amorphous silicon and morphous silicon nitride with modulated thicknesses a reflectance close to 100% is achieved over a broad wavelength region 700–1300 nm. Simulations show that the short-circuit current of the cell with a modulated PC back reflector closely resembles that of a cell with an ideal reflector.
COBISS.SI-ID: 7079764
A novel screenprintable titanium oxide paste based on Pechini sol–gel method and nanocrystalline titanium oxide powder exhibits high inner surface area assuring high dye loading and well-connected nanocrystalline grains assuring good electron transport. The dye-sensitized layers have been used to assemble dye-sensitized solar cells with acetonitrile- and ionic liquid-based electrolyte. Conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells determined under standard test conditions are 10.2% for acetonitrile- and 7.3% for ionic liquid-based electrolyte.
COBISS.SI-ID: 6848340
Two-dimensional optical model for simulation of thin-film solar cells with periodical textured interfaces is presented. The model is based on finite element method and uses triangular discrete elements for the structure description. Simulations of a microcrystalline silicon solar cell with a sinusoidal grating texture applied to the interfaces are carried out. The analysis and optimization of the two grating parameters—period and height of the grooves—are performed with respect to the maximal short-circuit current density of the cell.
COBISS.SI-ID: 7045972
A concept of an active instrument controller as a a gateway between a computer network and instrument bus introduces distributed code execution into the measurement system, where time-critical measurement loops are executed in the controller, enabling also stand-alone operations. We demonstrate the concept with a self-developed active General Purpose Interface Bus controller that uses a CompactFlash slot. Its execution speed is comparable to the script performance in Keithley's instruments, but, in contrast, is applicable to a wide range of different measurement instruments and setups.
COBISS.SI-ID: 7292244
Simulations using a two-dimensional model in PSpice have been used to examine the loss mechanisms from small-area microcells to monolithically integrated solar cells and whole thin-film modules. The conversion efficiency of the baseline microcells strongly depends on the sheet resistance of front transparent conductive oxide and monolithic contact area losses. Performance of cells with a single deteriorated microcell depends primarily on the type of defect and its strength. This conference contribution was awarded as the winning poster in thematic area "Thin Film Solar Cells".
COBISS.SI-ID: 7439444