Light management in large area thin-film silicon solar modules

Light management is fundamental for achieving high performance thin-film silicon solar cells. We highlight important developments of light management for record modules subdivided into several main categories: (a) reduction of reflection at interfaces by introducing antireflective layers; (b) reduction of parasitic losses in transparent conductive oxide layers; (c) improvement of light scattering combined with transparent conductive oxide surface morphology optimization; and (d) balancing of top cell and bottom cell currents by reflective layers. Specific aspects related to industrial production of large area modules are discussed including transparency/conductivity trade-offs, optimized deposition rates and coating uniformities. •Overview of light management in record MICROMORPH™ modules.•Reduction of reflection at air/glass and glass/ZnO interfaces.•Reduction of parasitic absorption in ZnO.•Improvement of light scattering.•Balancing of current generation between top and bottom cells.