Energy Efficiency of Photovoltaic Panels When Using Holographic Gratings as Passive Solar Trackers

Abstract

Theoretical and experimental estimates of the energy efficiency of holographic gratings used as passive solar trackers were obtained. It is found that in central Russia, their use can provide an about 20 % increase in the signal of photovoltaic panels mounted in “smart” windows. A 35% increase in the signal is possible only by improving the diffraction properties of gratings, i.e., by widening the angular selectivity contour while maintaining high diffraction efficiency. This can be achieved by developing new materials with a refractive index modulation of more than 0.1 with a recording layer thickness of about 3 µm or by using well-known hybrid diffractive structures in the form of relief on the surface of a volume grating with refractive index modulation.