Enhance current density and power conversion efficiency in solar cells by using luminescent downshifting phosphors

The silicate phosphor on the surface of GaAs solar cell are demonstrated to have promising potential for efficient solar spectrum utilization. The phosphor is a common utilized material in white light LED package, so the cost of phosphor is relatively low and the stability is good. The solar cells showed an enhancement of 22.8% in short-circuit current density and approximately 25.3% in power conversion efficiency when coated with silicate phosphor particles. The current analyses and experiments conclude that the phosphor particles not only play as luminescent downshifting centers in the ultraviolet region but also serve as an anti-reflection coating for enhancing the light absorption in the overall spectral response of external quantum efficiency.