Integrated front–rear-grid optimization of free-form solar cells

Gupta, D.K.; Barink, M; Galagan, Y; Langelaar, Matthijs

doi:10.1109/JPHOTOV.2016.2617082

Integrated front–rear-grid optimization of free-form solar cells

Title

Integrated front–rear-grid optimization of free-form solar cells

Author

Gupta, D.K. (TU Delft Computational Design and Mechanics)
Barink, M (TNO)
Galagan, Y (TNO)
Langelaar, Matthijs (TU Delft Computational Design and Mechanics)

Date

2016

Abstract

Free-form solar cells expand solar power beyond traditional rectangular geometries. With the flexibility of being installed on objects of daily use, they allow making better use of available space and are expected to bring in new possibilities of generating solar power in the coming future. In addition, their customizable shape can add to the aesthetics of the surroundings. Evidently, free-form solar cells need to be efficient as well. One way to improve their performance is to optimize the metallization patterns for these cells. This work introduces an optimization strategy to optimize the metallization designs of a solar cell such that its performance can be maximized. For the purpose of optimization, we model an existing transparent free-form solar cell design, including front and rear electrode patterns, to validate it against previously published experimental results. The front and rear metallizations of this transparent free-form solar cell are subsequently redesigned using topology optimization. More than 50% improvement in output power is achieved by using topology optimization.

Subject

topology optimization (TO)
Finite-element analysis
free-form cells
metallization
photovoltaic (PV)

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:d6d66ace-ec26-4971-9e3a-024c21a56015

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2016.2617082

ISSN

2156-3381

Source

IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, 7 (2017) (1), 294-302

Bibliographical note

Accepted Author Manuscript