Publication: Design optimization of CdTe/Si tandem solar cell using different transparent conducting oxides as interconnecting layers
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Date
2021
Authors
Isah M.
Rahman K.S.
Doroody C.
Harif M.N.
Rosly H.N.
Sopian K.
Tiong S.K.
Amin N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Abstract
Due to the efficiency limit placed by Shockley-Queisser for the single junction solar cells, interest has now shifted to the design and fabrication of cost-effective and more efficient multijunction or tandem solar cells. In this study, wxAMPS 3.0 numerical simulation software has been used in designing and optimizing a CdTe/Si based tandem solar cell structure utilizing some selected transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) as electrical and optical interconnectors. Among the three TCOs (SnO2, ITO and AZO) used here, AZO at a thickness of 20 nm illustrated the best efficiency of 26.7156% with Voc = 2.1261 V, Jsc = 13.8071 mA/cm2 and FF = 0.9100 when the thickness of CdTe and Si layers were fixed at 1 �m and 300 �m, respectively. The best possible efficiency for the design was obtained at 38.0417% by reducing the p-CdTe layer thickness from 1 �m to 0.2 �m. This shows that, with proper design and optimized fabrication process, CdTe/Si tandem can push the efficiency beyond the existing single junction limit. � 2021 Elsevier B.V.
Description
Cadmium telluride; Computer software; Cost effectiveness; Design; Efficiency; II-VI semiconductors; Numerical models; Silicon solar cells; Transparent conducting oxides; CdTe layers; CdTe/Si; Cost effective; Design optimization; Efficiency limits; Inter-connecting layers; Multi-junctions; Single junction solar cells; Tandem solar cells; Transparent conducting oxide; Silicon