Computer simulation of a-Si/c-Si heterojunction solar cell with high conversion efficiency

• Published in: Solar energy Vol. 86; no. 1; pp. 393 - 397
• Main Authors: Chen, Aqing, Zhu, Kaigui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2012; Elsevier; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: a-Si/c-Si heterojunction; Applied sciences; Computational efficiency; Computer simulation; Computing time; Conversion; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electric fields; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Heterojunctions; Natural energy; Photoelectric conversion; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Photovoltaics; Solar cells; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; TCO work function; Work functions; Solar cells; TCO work function; a-Si/c-Si heterojunction; Photovoltaics; Silicon solar cells; Band structure; Conducting material; Computer simulation; Conversion rate; Quantum yield; Solar cell; Work function; Electric field; p type semiconductor; Amorphous hydrogenated material; High efficiency; n type semiconductor; Silicon; Transparent material; Cost lowering; Heterojunction
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2011.10.015

► We simulate the a-Si/c-Si heterojunction solar cell high efficiency of closed to 22%. ► We mainly consider the key factors of the work function of transparent conductive oxide (TCO). ► The work function of TCO should be large enough to achieve high conversion efficiency for P+ a-Si:H/N+ c-Si solar cell.
The p-type a-Si:H/n-type c-Si (P+ a-Si:H/N+ c-Si) heterojunction was simulated for developing solar cells with high conversion efficiency and low cost. The characteristic of such cells with different work function of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) were calculated. The energy band structure, quantum efficiency and electric field are analyzed in detail to understand the mechanism of the heterojunction cell. Our results show that the a-Si/c-Si heterojunction is hypersensitive to the TCO work function, and the TCO work function should be large enough in order to achieve high conversion efficiency of P+ a-Si:H/N+ c-Si solar cells. With the optimized parameters set, the P+ a-Si:H/N+ c-Si solar cell reaches a high efficiency (η) up to 21.849% (FF: 0.866, VOC: 0.861V, JSC: 29.32mA/cm2).