
By calculating the absorbance in the metal as a function of the angle of incidence, we discover three results that are important for understanding and improving rear reflectors in many types of solar cells.

We consider light incident on the silicon/dielectric/metal structure at the back of rear-passivated crystalline silicon solar cells with surface textures that are large enough for geometric optics.

Imperfect internal reflectance of near-bandgap light reduces the performance of all solar cells, and becomes increasingly detrimental as absorbers become thinner.
