Abstract
This article presents an effective structural design arrangement for light trapping in the front surface of a thin film silicon solar cell (TFSC). Front surface light trapping rate is significantly enhanced here by incorporating the Aluminium (Al) nanoparticle arrays into silicon nitride anti-reflection layer. The light trapping capability of these arrays is extensively analyzed via Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method considering the wavelength ranging from 400 to 1100 nm. The outcome indicates that the structural parameters associated with the aluminium nanoparticle arrays like particle radii and separations between adjacent particles, play vital roles in designing the solar cell to achieve better light trapping efficiency. A detailed comparative analysis has justified the effectiveness of this approach while contrasting the results found with commonly used silver nanoparticle arrays at the front surface of the cell. Because of the surface plasmon excitation, lower light reflectance, and significant near field enhancement, aluminium nanoparticle arrays offer broadband light absorption by the cell.
Highlights
High conversion efficiency with reduced manufacturing cost is the prime developmental goal while designing a thin film silicon solar cell
A rigorous investigation was done to evaluate the performance of this solar cell in terms of number of photon absorbed (NPA) in Si, absorption Enhancement, integrated absorption factor and the variations in the size and inter-particles spacing of metal nanoparticles
We have proposed a design configuration of a thin film silicon solar cell to enhance light trapping in the front surface of the cell with Si3 N4 AR layer and spherical metal nanoparticle
Summary
High conversion efficiency with reduced manufacturing cost is the prime developmental goal while designing a thin film silicon solar cell. It requires less manufacturing materials which makes it a promising candidate. To achieve high conversion efficiency for the thinner absorber layer is the main challenging task. Recent achievements are remarkable in the field of thin film solar cell technology as the conversion efficiency variation between individual cells and modules is lower compared to all other photo-voltaic technologies [1]. The main limitation of TFSC is that solar irradiation absorption becomes poor along with the decreasing thickness of silicon absorber layer
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
