Optical Transparent Antenna Array Integrated With Solar Cell

Abstract

This letter presents an optical transparent antenna array integrated with solar cell. Metal-meshed structure is used in the transparent antenna array, which achieves a balance between radiation efficiency and optical transparency. The meshed patches have equidistant distribution in the array and are fed by coaxial probes. A meshed ground, which has the same grid size as the meshed patch, is introduced and aligned with the patch. Cheap coating technology is utilized in printing silver-meshed patch and ground on the two surfaces of a glass substrate. A commercial monocrystalline silicon solar cell is closely assembled under the transparent antenna array. The proposed antenna array operates from 8.51 to 9.10 GHz (VSWR ≤ 2) with low cross-polarization levels, and obtains an 88% optical transparency. The transparent antenna array achieves a good radiation performance with little effect on solar photovoltaic generation.