MIT Announces Design Method to Improve Thin Film Solar Cell Conversion Efficiency by 50%
A research team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced that it has found a way to increase the conversion efficiency of thin-film solar cells by 50% (in English). The team used computer simulations to design thin-film solar cells and confirmed the above results through experiments conducted at the institute. By placing an anti-reflection film on a 2 μm-thick silicon film and using a multilayer reflective film and a diffraction grating on the back of the solar cell, the output power of the solar cell is improved by about 50%. Since the multilayer reflective film provided on the back of the solar cell allows the sunlight to reflect in the silicon thin film for a longer time, the efficiency is improved. Peter Bermel, a postdoctoral researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Electronics Research Laboratory who participated in the project, said, "The key is that the sunlight that enters the reflective layer of the solar cell travels a long distance through the silicon." The research team considered a variety of combinations of changes in the width of the diffraction grating, the thickness of silicon, and the number of reflective films on the back of the solar cell, and repeated thousands of simulations. The research team will fine-tune the technology by continuing simulations and conducting experiments within the institute. It is planned to study the manufacturing process and materials after this. Strive to achieve practical level within 3 years. HEBEI PINGLE FLOUR MACHINERY GROUP CO., LTD , https://www.plrollermill.com