Luminescent layers based on rare earth elements for thin-film flexible solar cells applications

Flexible inorganic solar cells are nowadays produced commercially on polymer and metal foils. Many technological enhancements are used to increase their conversion efficiency. In this paper authors focused on down conversion of ultraviolet and short wavelength visible light for improvement of amorphous silicon cells' quantum efficiency. Towards this goal, rare-earth elements were applied as active particles in flexible polymer down converting layer. For practical experiments, screen-printing method, as the cheap, reliable and industrially-ready technology was used. Various materials composition as well as different layer thicknesses and morphology were tested in order to obtain optimal luminescent effect.