Role of Plasmonic Resonance in Enhancing Solar Energy Conversion Efficiency: A Review

Abstract

The global demand for renewable and sustainable energy has brought solar energy to the forefront as a viable solution to environmental and energy challenges. However, the relatively low efficiency of conventional photovoltaic (PV) cells continues to restrict large-scale deployment. Plasmonic resonance, arising from the collective oscillation of free electrons in metal nanoparticles under incident light, has emerged as a promising strategy to address this limitation. By creating localized electromagnetic fields, plasmonic nanostructures significantly enhance light absorption and charge carrier generation in solar cells. This review explores the theoretical principles of plasmonic resonance, experimental approaches to nanoparticle integration and comparative performance outcomes in silicon, organic and hybrid solar cells. Gold, silver and aluminium nanoparticles have been the most widely investigated, showing substantial improvements in absorption and overall power conversion efficiency. Despite these advances, challenges remain, particularly the high cost of noble metals and concerns over thermal stability. To overcome these limitations, researchers are exploring cost-effective alternatives, such as nano-alloys and core–shell structures. The review concludes that plasmonic-enhanced solar cells offer a transformative pathway to boost photovoltaic performance, but further research is needed to address scalability, economic feasibility and long-term device stability.