Parameters optimization of a heterojunction thin film solar cell to improve the conversion efficiency

Abstract

Thin Film Solar Cell is a technology with great potential because of its low material consumption and relatively high efficiency. In this paper several techniques have been taken into consideration which can improve the efficiency of thin film solar cell like CIGS and ZnTeO. Simulations have been performed to optimize the parametric values that can greatly influence the efficiency of thin film solar cell. Effect of change of cell width, transmittance, recombination lifetime etc. on the conversion efficiency has been studied and optimized in MATLAB. It has been found that thin film solar cells with larger cell width can provide better efficiency only when the minority carrier mobility of the cell material crosses a critical value. If the mobility of the cell material is below this critical value, the efficiency of the cell decreases with increase in cell width.