Baseline of numerical simulations for ZnTe based thin-film solar cells

Abstract

Numerical modelling of photovoltaic solar cells is an important strategy to test the viability of proposed physical structures and their performance. This article introduces the concept of numerical simulation and explain the relevant physical models for the inside physical phenomenon like generation, recombination and transport of charge carriers (holes and electrons) in photovoltaic materials. This will made with essential input parameters, to have consistent and acceptable results. It is extremely useful to have a common baseline or starting point for researchers working on the same problem under different conditions irrespective of the place, group, research environment and tools/software used. The numerical work, hence produces results for fitting of modelling output to experimental results, predicting the effect of changes in material properties and geometry of cell performance and testing the viability of proposed physical device. A case-study for baseline parameter sets are presented that describes ZnTe based thin-film solar cells consist in ZnO/n-CdS/p-ZnTe in a substrate sequence. This model can be used as a baseline for more complicated models and will help photovoltaic researchers for enhancing the efficiency and reduction the costs in $/Wp of photovoltaic devices.