Semi-Transparent Colored Solar Cells for Agrivoltaics Ecosystem Applications

Abstract

The development of agricultural photovoltaic (PV) ecosystems aims to mitigate land competition between solar PV panels and crops. When used in greenhouses, semi-transparent colored thin-film photovoltaic technology allows for the conversion of solar energy while meeting the photosynthetic needs of crops, offering significant potential for usage in agriculture. Recent developments in semi-transparent solar cells (ST-SCs), including organic solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, perovskite solar cells, copper indium gallium selenide solar cells, and cadmium telluride solar cells, are reviewed in this article with an emphasis on enhancing ST-SCs performance. Various structures, fabrication methods, and current research progress of ST-SCs are discussed, followed by an exploration of the applications of semi-transparent cells in agricultural ecosystems. Finally, a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of several types of ST-SCs is presented, with recommendations on the most suitable types for agricultural applications. Future prospects for semi-transparent solar cells used in agricultural greenhouses are also investigated.