Light Management in Bifacial Photovoltaics with Spectrally Selective Mirrors

Abstract

Spectrally selective mirrors that simultaneously provide above-bandgap antireflection and sub-bandgap light rejection are tested for their ability to provide passive cooling to partially sub-bandgap transparent bifacial photovoltaics. The optical and thermal benefits of both idealized and real, low-complexity spectrally selective mirrors on single-axis tracking, bifacial PERC arrays under realistic conditions are tested via rigorous finite element simulations. Four- and six-layer mirror designs increased carrier generation beyond what traditional antireflection coatings can provide without the associated cell heating. Idealized mirrors were found to provide up to 2.4 °C of cooling when included on both air/glass interfaces of the bifacial module.