Abstract
In the present paper calculation of CuInSe2(CIS)/CdS solar cell efficiency is presented. The influence of the thickness and the optical band gap of CdS and CIS layers on the solar cell performances are investigated. The thickness of CdS buffer layer, which is generally neglected is taken into account. The solar cells performances calculations are based on the calculation, by means of developed software written with Matlab, of photocurrent from the resolution of the well known three coupling equations: continuity equation for holes in the CdS (n-region) and for electrons in the CIS (p- region) and Poisson equation. The obtained results indicated that the solar cell efficiency can be improved by reducing the CdS thickness or by increasing the CIS thickness. The efficiency increasing rates are 0.01 %/ nm and 0.5 %/nm for CdS and CIS layer thickness respectively. The CdS layer alters the shorter wavelength of the solar spectrum, while the CIS layer alters the longer wavelength. CIS layer optical band gap is the most crucial parameter by comparison to the optical gap of CdS layer.
Highlights
During the last years solar cells based on CuInSe2 (CIS) has emerged as a potential candidate for low cost thin films solar cells production
Table 1. the values of CdS, CIS layers and solar cell parameters used in the calculation p aramet ers Electron affinity
The optical band gap of window layer is larger than the CIS, an increase in the window layer alter the absorption in the shorter wavelength range of visible spectrum, as seen in figure 3, showing the variat ion of the solar cell quantum efficiency as a function of CdS thickness
Summary
During the last years solar cells based on CuInSe2 (CIS) has emerged as a potential candidate for low cost thin films solar cells production. The 19.5 % efficiency obtained in ZnO/CdS/ CIS[1] hetrostructure is encouraging and is considered as an interesting stimu lant for the development of thin film solar cells technology. There is a worldwide effo rt to reduce the material for solar cells production with a higher ratio power on weight. Thereafter, the thickn ess is an impo rtant parameter to study and to optimize its in fluence on solar cells p ropert ies. Calculation is a simple method, economic and it saves effort and time to optimize solar cells technological
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