Optical Bandpass Glass
Filter and its Applications in
Solar Cells
PI: Prof. Amer El-Korashy
Project ID: 5001
Project Type: Basic Science
Principal Investigator: Prof. Amer El-Korashy
Affiliation: The British University in Egypt
Project Start Date: 27 March 2014
Project End Date: 27 March 2016
Project Duration: Two years
Fund : 1000000 LE
The Problem:
-UV spectrum, this band is
harmful to many solar cells due
to its degradation effect which
decrease the lifetime of any
solar cell.
- IR band is very wield spectrum,
but it causes a high noise effect
to many solar cells due to its
thermal effect.
- The visible band, and it the
most powerful band for any
solar cell to convert the light into
electricity.
• The efficiency of photovoltaic cells depends on the incident
energy on the visible region of solar spectra.
• IR and UV region of solar radiation reduce the efficiency of
solar cell.
• In this farm it is important to increase the visible region
spectra and reduce IR and UV component.
• The 1st project aims is to:
• 1- prepare bandpass filter in the visible region.
• 2- convert IR radiation into visible radiation (up conversion)
and convert UV radiation into visible radiation (down
conversion).
* Cu
doped phosphate glass system was prepared by
conventional melt-quenching technique.
T % of Cu doped
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
-10
Cu0
Cu2
Cu4
Cu6
The Transmittance (a . u) in the range 200 to 2500 nm.
• The above system is promising glass for solar
cell protection. It acts as band pass filter in the
visible region i.e. transmit visible radiation and
prevent IR & UV components (i.e. band pass
filter)
• To control the optical energy passed, one
should consider: height, width, and area of
the band.
• There position can be controlled through
composition.
The conversion of the UV and infrared
bands into visible band can increase the
efficiency of the solar cells by absorbing the
UV and convert it to visible or absorbing the
IR and convert it to visible, these called upconversion and down-conversion process.
• The 2nd project aims is to:
• convert infra red radiation into visible
radiation (up conversion) and convert UV
radiation into visible radiation (down
conversion).
• Addition of rare earth elements for down and
up conversion.
Addition of Rear Earth element yttrium
give a promising results
Next phase:
- Outdoor
experiment.
- Contact glass factories for glass filters production.
Project outcome:
-We expect that, the filter will Increase the solar cells
efficiency from 5 to 10 % as a result of pass the visible
spectrum in addition to convert the IR and UV bands.
-Protect the solar cell panels from environment problems
so the lifetime must increased in average of 10 years.
-A thin layer of nanoparticle must help to keep the glass
filters surface clean which save both cleaning process
and expenses in addition to increase the efficiency .
Prof. Mohamed El-Okr (Co-PI)
Prof. Hassan afify (Consaltant)
Dr. Mohamed AbdelAziz.
Mr. Mmohamed Farag (Ph. D. student)
Mr. Mohamed Saleh (Ph. D. Student)
Ms. Sara Alaaa (Lab assistant)
THANK YOU