Investigation of a broadband TiO2/SiO2 optical thin-film filter for hybrid solar power systems

Using the technology of spectral selectivity to integrate different solar power generators in a hybrid system is a feasible way to improve the optical-electric efficiency. This paper presents an 82-layer broadband optical interference thin-film filter matching with crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, which using TiO2 and SiO2 as fabrication materials and can be used in hybrid solar power systems like photovoltaic–thermoelectric generator (PV–TEG) systems. The design, optimization and fabrication process of the filter is described, high reflectance from 400 nm to 1100 nm as well as high transmittance from 1100 nm to 2500 nm over the broadband of solar spectrum are obtained. The classical electron beam evaporation plant is used to fabricate the filter. Four different incidence angles’ optical performances of the sample filter are measured which agree well with the numerical simulation results. The electrical characteristics of a typical Silicon photovoltaic cell using the fabricated sample filter are measured. An average efficiency increase of 3.24% for the solar cell with respect to the solar energy it receives can be obtained due to the filter. A calculation model for a hybrid PV–TEG system using this thin-film filter is proposed and the benefits of the filter for hybrid solar power systems are demonstrated.