Encapsulating Eu3+ complex doped layers to improve Si‐based solar cell efficiency

Abstract This paper reports the electrical characterization of commercially available crystalline silicon solar cells encapsulated with poly‐vinylacetate doped with different Eu 3+ organic complexes. The inclusion of these complexes in the encapsulating matrix allows down‐shifting of the solar spectrum components below 420 nm toward the maximum quantum efficiency of the solar cells. This effect has been proven under Air Mass 1·5 conditions (simulating terrestrial applications) where an increase of the total power delivered by the encapsulated cells has been observed. Moreover, this enhancement has been obtained using very low percentage by weight of organolanthanide dopants, allowing a reduction in the Watt peak price. At higher concentrations a strong quenching of the energy transfer from the organic antenna to the lanthanide ion has been observed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.