MetaShield has developed its proprietary ‘MetaShieldPV’ nano-coating technology that increases solar cell efficiency using advanced light trapping. Upon application, the product solidifies in air at room temperature and forms a thin film layer with refractive index of ~1.5.
Problem
On average, 10% of the sunlight that enters a solar cell bounces around inside of the cell and eventually escapes, limiting possible improvements in conversion efficiencies.
Solution
MetaShieldPV is a patent pending formula that is spray coated directly onto the existing anti-reflective coating on the solar cells and hardens at room temperature, forming a transparent ~200nm glass film. The embedded nanoparticles employ strong forward scattering to affect optical enhancement in solar cells. An independent study via the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR) TAP program and and verified by OAI-Optical Associates boosted triple junction (GaInP/GaInAs/Ge) solar cell efficiency by 1.2% (absolute) from 29.39% to 30.59%. MetaSOL’s ability to provide a similarly dramatic enhancement to crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells is under development.
Applications
Initially for triple junction GaInP/GaInAs/Ge solar cells and c-Si cell applications are under development.
Platform
Upon application, MetaShieldPV solidifies in air at room temperature and forms a thin film layer with refractive index of ~1.5. No expensive vapor deposition, heating, or sputter coating is required. Adheres to most glass, metal, carbon-based, and polymer materials MetaShieldPV’s light-trapping coating employs plasmonic and dielectric nanoparticles to enhance the forward scattering of light incident on solar cells, and hence increase the short circuit current and the overall photo-conversion efficiency of these devices.
Availability
MetaShieldPV is said to be in beta production and available to solar cell manufacturers.
