Photonic Band Gap Structures for Solar Energy Generation

The objective of proposed Phase II project is to develop multi-junction Graetzel cells using a cost effective, single layer metamaterial light harvesting template into which, up to four different sets of wavelength-selective ruthenium dye complexes are deposited. The light harvesting template performs three roles: (1) spectral band splitting of the incident solar spectrum into different cavities into which different wavelength specific ruthenium compounds have been electrodeposited, (2) light concentration, and (3) serves as a heat sink to avoid the harmful effects of high temperatures. These three improvements to the traditional Graetzel cell are expected to increase the efficiency to 42% compared to ~11% for traditional Graetzel cells, resulting in a predicted module cost of 95/Watt. Certain untested aspects of our device may increase the efficiency to as high as 60%, resulting in a cost reduction to 66/Watt.