Publication: Optoelectrical impact of alternative window layer composition in CdTe thin film solar cells performance
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Date
2022
Authors
Doroody C.
Rahman K.S.
Kiong T.S.
Amin N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Abstract
This study investigates the integrability of different alternatives of cadmium sulfide (CdS), namely, oxygenated cadmium sulfide (CdS:O) and cadmium zinc sulfide (CdZnS) as the potential window layers in CdTe thin film solar cells using SCAPS-1D and experimental fabrication. The performance parameters such as open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), conversion efficiency (?), and quantum efficiency (QE) have been examined for cells with different carrier concentration and series resistance (Rs) of window layer materials. Calculation results shows that the incorporation of oxygen (CdS:O) with series resistance (Rs ? 1E?1 ?.cm2) and minimum carrier concentration of 1016 cm?3 contributes in optimum band alignment that enhances photo-current collection from both short and long wavelength regions compared to baseline CdS/CdTe solar cell. Moreover, the performance of the proposed cells has been improved in terms of QE, Jsc, Voc, ?, and FF upon insertion of novel CdZnS layer. However, carrier recombination increases the saturation current density for CdZnS resulting in unstable performance. Consequently, upon insertion of CdS:O window layer, conversion efficiency enhancement is observed with Jsc (29.10 mA.cm?2), Voc (0.889 V) and FF (70.39%). The proposed window materials are deposited using RF-sputtering method and the experimental results are incorporated in simulation to validate the findings. � 2022 International Solar Energy Society
Description
Cadmium sulfide; Cadmium sulfide solar cells; Cadmium telluride; Carrier concentration; Conversion efficiency; Efficiency; Electric resistance; Image enhancement; Open circuit voltage; Thin film solar cells; Thin films; Zinc sulfide; Cadmium sulphide:O window layer; Fill-factor; Integrability; Layer composition; Optoelectrical; Performance; SCAPS-1D; Series resistances; Solar cell performance; Window layer; II-VI semiconductors; energy efficiency; fuel cell; parameter estimation; performance assessment; solar power