Efficiency Enhancement of the CdS/CdTe Solar Nanostructured Cell Using Electron-Reflecting Layer

Sharma, DK and Shyam Krishnan, N and Ilango, MS and Ramasesha, SK (2021) Efficiency Enhancement of the CdS/CdTe Solar Nanostructured Cell Using Electron-Reflecting Layer. In: IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 68 (3). pp. 1129-1134.

PDF iee_tra_ele_68-3_1129-1134_2021.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

A novel nanopillar-based n-CdS/p-CdTe solar cell with p-CdZnTe electron-reflecting layer has been proposed. The proposed structure features a p-CdZnTe electron-reflecting layer at the anode electrode side of the device. Device simulation using TCAD device simulator SILVACO has shown that the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of the device can be improved without degrading the short circuit current density (Jsc) of the device. Furthermore, the effect of Zn composition in the p-CdZnTe layer has also been studied on the device performance parameters of interest such as open-circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and solar cell conversion efficiency (η). A detailed analysis has shown that increasing the Zn composition beyond 40% limits the FF due to the increase in the valence band offset energy ΔEv, on the other hand, lowering Zn composition below 40% decreases the much-desired conduction band offset energy (ΔEc) value. The best tradeoff relationship between the Voc and FF has been achieved for the Zn composition of 40% in the p-CdZnTe layer. At this composition of Zn, the Voc, FF, and solar cell η of the device seem to be improved by 33%, 21%, and 61% respectively. © 1963-2012 IEEE.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices
Publisher:	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Additional Information:	The copyright for this article belongs to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Keywords:	Cadmium sulfide; Electrodes; II-VI semiconductors; Nanopillars; Open circuit voltage; Zinc, Cell conversion efficiency; Conduction band offset; Device simulations; Efficiency enhancement; Nanostructured cells; Structure features; Trade-off relationship; Valence band offsets, Cadmium sulfide solar cells
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Divecha Centre for Climate Change
Date Deposited:	08 Mar 2023 12:57
Last Modified:	08 Mar 2023 12:57
URI:	https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/80858

Actions (login required)

View Item