Enhanced photovoltaic performance of silicon solar cells using a down-shift KCa 2 Mg 2 (VO 4 ) 3 phosphor.

The efficiency of silicon solar cells is still lower than theoretical values, partly due to their inability to utilize the ultraviolet and infrared portions of the solar spectrum. Herein, a novel method using a KCa 2 Mg 2 (VO 4 ) 3 phosphor with a down-shift effect to improve the photovoltaic performance of silicon solar cells and enhance the utilization of UV light in standard p-type silicon solar cells is proposed. The synthesized phosphors were mixed with an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and pressed into a film, which was subsequently encapsulated in monocrystalline silicon solar cells. The results show that the addition of this film notably enhanced the photovoltaic performance of the silicon solar cells; the current density was increased by 2.89% (from 33.20 to 34.16 mA cm -2 ), and the photovoltaic conversion efficiency was improved by 5.69% (from 15.11% to 15.97%) at the optimal concentration compared to bare cells.