Transition metal and rare earth quad-doped photovoltaic phosphate glasses toward raising a-SiC:H solar cell performance

Efficiency enhancement of a hydrogenated amorphous-silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) solar cell using downshifting and upconversion of photovoltaic (PV) glasses doped with transition metal (TM) ions and rare earth (RE) ions are investigated. P2O5-Li2O-Al2O3-Sb2O3-MnO-Yb2O3-Er2O3 glass doped with Sb3+-Mn2+-Yb3+-Er3+ ions is prepared and the PV glass is placed on an a-SiC:H solar cell. The performance of the cell in combination with the PV glass is simulated and measured, and the results show that the theoretical and experimental efficiencies are both enhanced compared to the bare one. The potential of TM-RE quad-doped glasses for improving the efficiency of a-SiC:H PV modules are explored.