A Packaging Method to Improve Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells with YAG:Ce Phosphors

A packaging method to improve the conversion efficiency of monocrystalline silicon solar cells is presented. In this method, Ce-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce) phosphor particles as luminescence down-shifting materials are coated on the surface of the solar cells which are then packaged with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and glass. The experimental results show that, after being packaged, the increase in the conversion efficiency is from 17.24% to 18.13%. The enhancement can be attributed to the luminescence down-shifting effect of YAG:Ce phosphors which convert ultraviolet/blue light into yellow light, the reduced reflection in the wavelength range below 480nm and the absorption of the light which is emitted from the phosphor particles and reflected back at air/glass interface. This method provides a potential way to improve the solar cells through the packaging processes, which is appliable for industries.