Spectral filtering of photovoltaic cells using novel bio-filter: silver-coated Ixora extract using water as a solution

Abstract

Over the years, it has been noticed that there is a rising interest in spectral filtering to increase the overall efficiency or output of photovoltaic solar systems. Meanwhile methods for comparing the performance of spectral filtering and the effects of optical spectral filter design on system performance are not well developed. This research emphasizes on two areas, that is, to screen plant extract to serve as a coating to elongate the life span or improve the efficiency of solar cells, to test for the different spectral incident on solar cells and to apply silver-coated plant extract to filter spectral hitting the PV cells. The parameters (voltage, current, and radiation) obtained during the experiment indicate the benefit of using plant extract to coat the PV cells’ surface. Data are obtained to assess the performance of experimental spectral filters in different spectral filtering configurations. The result shows that the efficiency of the PV cell increased by 8%. This research has shown that these spectra filtering method is viable. Hence, it is recommended that solar companies concentrate on the protective layer to improve solar cell efficiency.