LAUSR

Abstract Transparent photovoltaic (TPV) is the technology of solar cells to convert light to electric energy. Different from the typically dark or opaque solar cells, TPV is transparent by passing the visible range lights. Metal-oxide semiconductor TPV was developed for short ultraviolet (UV) utilization. The solid-phase sputtering method was applied to sequentially deposit p-type NiO onto n-type ZnO forming the electric field. The pristine metal-oxide TPV has strong absorption of UV but bears the inevitable limit of carrier collection. Extension of light-utilization is a pivot to enhance TPV performances. And thus, a thin Si film was embedded between p-NiO and n-ZnO to improve TPV performances according to the enhanced quantum efficiency as well as the extended absorbing light. The Si-embedded TPV has 40% transmittance to achieve the large open circuit voltage (0.6 V) and short circuit current density (2.8 mA/cm2) values for high light-conversion efficiency of 4.8%. This may be the first report for the hybrid of Si-embedded metal-oxide heterojunction for TPVs. Si film would enhance the metal-oxide TPV performances due to the improved carrier collection efficiency and the extended light utilization for longer wavelengths. The inorganic TPV may be applied for the invisible power generator.