Scientists in India have added a layer of tin oxide to the back of silicon solar cells, boosting efficiency by 7%.

The team at the Sanketika Institute of Technology and Management, India applied a nanocoating of tin oxide onto the glass, causing exiting light to be scattered back into the solar cell, gaining extra power. A typical overall efficiency of solar collectors is around 21%, with losses mainly due to reflection of the heat and light back to the air. Cells coated with an optimum 400 nm tin oxide increased efficiency from 24% to 31%, with a measurable decrease in heat loss due to convection.

This work follows earlier studies by the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, working with the National Institute of Solar Energy, India demonstrating a 5% efficiency increase using similar technology.

Sanketika Institute of Technology and Management paper July 2017
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology paper December 2016


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