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

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 Problem:

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).

conventional melt-quenching technique. * Cu doped phosphate glass system was prepared by conventional melt-quenching technique.

The Transmittance (a . u) in the range 200 to 2500 nm.

The above system is promising glass for solar cell protection 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 up-conversion 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

- Contact glass factories for glass filters production. Next phase: - Outdoor experiment. - Contact glass factories for glass filters production.

We expect that, the filter will Increase the solar cells 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 .

THANK YOU 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