Subject of the Thesis: Modelling and design of optimized optical coupling and spectral splitting, to maximize the energy performance of bifacial solar cells in Four-Terminal (FT) configuration.
The FT configuration is among the most advanced solutions for highly efficient photovoltaic solar modules. In this configuration, solar cells fabricated with different technologies are combined in the same module, for optimized exploitation of complementary parts of the solar spectrum and energy harvesting. Two main configurations are envisaged:  stacked geometry and photon spectral splitting. In the stacked geometry, the optical interfacing of the top and bottom solar cells is a key element for performance. In the photon spectral splitting configuration, the solar module has to be properly designed to optimize the performance of each single solar cell and of the module as a whole, in dependence on environmental and illumination conditions. The Thesis will focus on the macro and micro optical design in both configuration for optimized performance.
Project environment: The Thesis activity is performed in the frame of the Project BEST-4U - "Tecnologia per celle solari bifacciali ad alta Efficienza a 4 terminali per 'utility scale' (Technology for highly efficient 4-terminal bifacial solar cells) “, coordinated by the Italian Energy company ENEL.
Activity: In the wide and general frame of the physics of photovoltaic solar cells and related solutions, the activity will focus on the numerical modelling and design of the optical coupling for the four-terminal solution, under Comsol and ZEMAX software environment. The candidate will be trained to use the software.
Required skills: Notions of optical propagation and dielectric properties of materials and of physics of electronic devices. Attitude and interest for numerical modelling and design.