We present a design study of 3D photonic poly-Si microarchitectures on 2 μm periodically textured glass substrates for application as absorber layers in crystalline Si thin-film solar cells. Different arrays of microholes and microcones were fabricated in a low-cost process, by combining high rate electron beam evaporation, nanoimprint technology and self-organized solid phase crystallization. Two promising designs exhibiting strong absorption enhancement were identified by optical analysis. High angular acceptance and calculated maximum achievable short-circuit current density of 27.6 mA/cm2 for an effective Si thickness of 1.1 μm highlight the optical potential of these microarchitectures as broadband absorbers in polycrystalline Si thin-film solar cells. Tailor-made 2 μm periodic polycrystalline silicon micro-arrays on nanoimprint patterned glass substrates for an application as light harvesting architectures in polycrystalline Si thin-film solar cells. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.