Colored Photovoltaics via Printing Technology

Abstract

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) plays an essential role in realizing net-zero energy buildings. Unlike utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants, the aesthetic of BIPV is a crucial issue for entering the market. Therefore, the demand for colored PV increases rapidly to fulfilling the increased energy consumption in an urban area. In this review, we would like to introduce the current status of colored PVs and four dominant printing-based approaches for demonstrating them. First, the Fabry-Perot filter, controlling the device's thickness, intensifies the PVs' color. Secondly, bandgap engineering of the light-absorbing layer enables us to generate a color by transmitting a specific range of incident light. Third, the selective layer, multiple stack of two dielectric layer, provides color to PVs. Lastly, the printing of luminophore on the top of PVs makes them colorful by converting high energy photons to visible ones. The progress of colored PV technology will help PVs enter into BIPV market by providing an aesthetic view to them.