Holographic Applications in Solar-Energy-Conversion Processes

Author(s): Raymond K. Kostuk, Juan Manuel Russo, Deming Zhang, Jose Manuel Castro, Shelby D. Vorndran

Published: 2016

PDF ISBN: 9781510602120

DESCRIPTION

This Spotlight provides an overview of the use of holographic optical elements in a variety of solar-energy-conversion applications, such as holographic planar concentrators (HPCs), ultra-light trapping filters for thin-film PV cells, and a variety of spectrum-splitting filters for high-efficiency PV and hybrid energy-conversion systems. In addition to describing the applications, an overview of important hologram design, materials, and fabrication methods relevant to solar conversion are discussed.

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EXCERPT

This Spotlight discusses the use of special-purpose holographic optical elements (HOEs) to increase the performance of PV components and systems. They are attractive because they can be designed to realize complex optical functions and can be mass produced at low cost. The remainder of Section 1 presents the properties of solar illumination and PV cell characteristics that are relevant to system designs that incorporate HOEs. In Section 2, an overview of holographic principles and design issues is given. Section 3 investigates the broadband holographic concentrators that can be incorporated into modules similar to conventional PV modules. Section 4 covers holographic light-trapping techniques that can increase the conversion efficiency of PV cells by increasing the light absorption near the band edge of the PV cell. Section 5 discusses the use of holographic components in spectrum-splitting PV systems, which show promise for considerably increasing energy-conversion efficiency. Finally, in Section 6, an overview of other application areas where HOEs can contribute to the performance of solar-energy-conversion systems is summarized.