Thickness Optimization of ZnO/CdS/CdTe Solar Cell by Numerical Simulation
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Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials https://doi.org/10.1007/s42341-020-00209-9
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Thickness Optimization of ZnO/CdS/CdTe Solar Cell by Numerical Simulation Devanshi Parashar1 · V. S. Ganesha Krishna2 · Sahana Nagappa Moger2 · Rashmitha Keshav2 · M. G. Mahesha2 Received: 6 December 2019 / Revised: 16 May 2020 / Accepted: 30 May 2020 © The Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers 2020
Abstract CdTe based solar cells with high efficiency alternative to solar cells from elemental semiconductors is an important work carried out over the decades. However, the research has not yet yielded the highest possible efficiency with CdTe absorber. Selection of suitable window layer and optimizing the thickness of the different layers is still a quest in researchers. Numerical simulation of the different material combinations can speed up the research work. In this regard, numerical simulation is an essential tool to find the optimized structure for the enhanced device performance. In the present work, the thicknesses of window and absorber layers, one of the crucial factors that affect the solar cell performance, are tuned for ZnO/CdS/CdTe system. In case of CdS/CdTe solar cells, spectral loss created by CdS lowers the cell efficiency. Concept of bilayer window is useful to minimize the loss at window layer. Hence the ZnO/CdS bilayer window is adopted and demonstrated that the cell efficiency can be increased up to 17.66% with current density of 28.4 mA/cm2 and 73.7% fill factor. Keywords wxAMPS · Solar cell · Bilayer window · Chalcogenides · CdTe
1 Introduction In our fast-growing energy needs, renewable energy sources are quickly becoming a concern. In this regard, the direct conversion of solar energy to electricity (photovoltaic effect) via solar cells has already become an established frontier area of science and technology. Even though solar energy harvesting started with silicon based solar cells, in recent years, organic solar cells and II–VI compound based solar cells are gaining importance due to their cost effectiveness and high conversion efficiency [1–5]. Among the II–VI compound chalcogenides, due to favorable band gap, CdTe is most suitable for absorber layer. Even though CdS/CdTe heterostructure is ideal for solar cell applications, with suitable band gap of CdTe than CIGS, high absorbance by CdS window is the hurdle that created the wider gap between * M. G. Mahesha [email protected] 1
Department of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
Department of Physics, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
2
theoretically estimated and experimental value of efficiency. Even though direct thickness reduction of CdS layer is a simplest solution, it leads to severe defects including non-uniformity when the thickness is reduced below the threshold value. Reducing the thickness of CdS window with a compensating
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