Arrays of bioinspired compound lenses for solar cells

Francesco Chiadini; Vincenzo Fiumara; Antonio Scaglione; Akhlesh Lakhtakia

doi:10.1117/12.912845

4 April 2012 Arrays of bioinspired compound lenses for solar cells

Francesco Chiadini, Vincenzo Fiumara, Antonio Scaglione, Akhlesh Lakhtakia

Proceedings Volume 8339, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2012; 83390D (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.912845
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Investigating the use of prismatic lenses with cross-sectional shapes inspired by the apposition compound eyes of some dipterans, we found through numerical simulations that the exposed surfaces of silicon solar cells should be textured as arrays of bioinspired compound lenses (BCLs) in order to improve performance. We used a raytracing algorithm to evaluate the light-coupling efficiency over a large wavelength range of the solar spectrum. Thus, the array configuration maximizing the light-coupling was determined. Results show that the light-coupling efficiency can be enhanced by at least 16% with respect to that of a silicon cell with a flat surface.

Citation Download Citation

Francesco Chiadini, Vincenzo Fiumara, Antonio Scaglione, and Akhlesh Lakhtakia "Arrays of bioinspired compound lenses for solar cells", Proc. SPIE 8339, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2012, 83390D (4 April 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.912845

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