Improved PERC Solar Cell Design by TCAD Simulations | [Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences: A. Physical and Computational Sciences • 2021]

Author(s):

1. Atta Ur Rehman: Department of Basic Sciences, University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, 47050-Pakistan; Solid State Electronic Devices Lab, Experimental Physics Department, National Centre for Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

2. Amna Siddiqui: Solid State Electronic Devices Lab, Experimental Physics Department, National Centre for Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

3. Muhammad Nadeem: Department of Basic Sciences, University of Engineering & Technology Taxila, 47050-, Pakistan

4. Muhammad Usman: Solid State Electronic Devices Lab, Experimental Physics Department, National Centre for Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract:

In this work, we aim to identify the performance limiting factors and consequently improve the performance of PERC solar cells through extensive TCAD based device simulation and modelling. Initially, a simplified planar PERC solar cell structure is simulated in Silvaco (Athena/Atlas), where the device geometry is selected according to an experimentally fabricated cell with an eficiency of 17.86%. The J-V curves and solar cell parameters such as Jsc, FF, Voc and eficiency ( ?) of the simulated cell are then fitted to the experimental performance parameters by incorporating relevant models as suggested by the literature. These include: carriers' generation-recombination, mobility, statistics and bandgap narrowing. A good agreement is obtained, where the average percentage diference between simulated and experimental performance parameters is 0.65%. The solar cell performance is then improved to 21.52% by optimising the anti-reflective coating stack composition and thickness, and adding surface texturing. This increase in eficiency is attributed to lower surface recombination and reduced reflection due to light trapping. In addition, a textured front surface enhances the path-length of light, causing it to undergo multiple internal reflections which further increases light trapping, thus increasing Jsc by 7.31 mA/cm2.

Page(s): 61-67

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences: A. Physical and Computational Sciences, Volume: 58, Issue: 4, Year: 2021

Keywords:

Recombination , Surface Texturing , TCAD Simulation , Passivation , PERC Solar Cell , ARC

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