Fabrication and characterization of zinc oxide ultraviolet filter for solar cell applications

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films are grown and fabricated on cover slips using spray pyrolysis method with a concentration of 0.1M zinc acetate. Three samples were post- annealed at 400°C, 450°C and 500°C. An improved efficiency and a better responsivity were measured from silicon solar cells under concentrated light with a 0.1M ZnO UV filter compared to a non-filtered solar cell under one-sun reference light. The spectral response data of the Si solar cell provide solid evidence that energies greater than 3.26 eV (UV) are indeed absorbed by the ZnO UV filter and prevented these high energy light from reaching the solar cell. The optimal parameter for a UV filter is determined to be 0.1M 400°C ZnO film based from the Si solar cell higher efficiency of 0.38% compared to an unfiltered and non-concentrated Si solar cell