Ray-trace simulation of light trapping in silicon solar cell with texture structures

We investigated the light trapping effect in a solar cell. We performed ray-tracing simulation for a light trapping structure in a silicon crystalline solar cell. By comparing theoretical and experimental values, the reliability of a simulation technique was evaluated. Using this simulation technique, we evaluated the light trapping effect in the silicon crystalline solar cell and glass with a V-shaped texture. Furthermore, we investigated the light trapping effect in a silicon thin film solar cell. In a silicon thin film with a thickness of 20 μm deposited on V-shaped glass, reflectivity which is comparable to that in a pyramidal texture structure was obtained. We concluded that the simulation technique used in this work is very effective for optimization of the structure in the enhancement of the light trapping effect.