Water-driven photovoltaics: Enhancing performance through water media in the active layer

Complex design strategies aimed at mitigating optical and thermal losses have resulted in significant improvements in the photovoltaic (PV) technology. However, these strategies often entail increased processing time, device complexity, and system cost. To address these limitations, a simple water-immersion strategy for silicon solar cells is proposed in this study. The water layer, with a low refractive index and in direct contact with the solar cell, reduces Fresnel reflectance and enhances light trapping, leading to improved diode and photovoltaic characteristics. Under standard AM1.5 illumination, the commercial PV cells in air, steady water, and flowing water show power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 20.41%, 23.42%, and 22.87%, respectively. With the optimal water depth, the cell in flowing water shows significantly enhanced and consistent onsite power generation, with the variation below 1%. The immersion method also improves device performance across various light illumination wavelengths and intensities, maintaining a high PCE at 850 nm. The temperature of the solar cell in flowing water remained at 17 °C, ensuring high and reliable onsite power. This simple and cost-effective method presents as a promising high-performance and reliable strategy for solar power generation and may contribute significantly to the widespread deployment of renewable energy. • Proposed a simple water-immersion strategy for silicon solar cells • Water layer reduces Fresnel reflectance, enhancing photovoltaic characteristics • Achieved PCE of 20.41% in air and 23.42% with a water layer • Flowing water demonstrates enhanced and consistent onsite power generation • Immersion method improves device performance across a broad range of wavelengths