Modeling Back Electronic Reflectors in CdTe Solar cells.

Abstract

Abstract A photovoltaic system (or PV system) is a system which uses one or more solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. The CdTe thin-film photovoltaic has a large absorption coefficient and is theoretically highly efficient. Large-area CdTe photovoltaic panels can be economically fabricated. These features potentially make the CdTe thin-film solar cell the leading alternative energy source. However, the record CdTe efficiency of (16.5%), is much less than its theoretical maximum efficiency of (29%) [1]. “The open-circuit voltage 0.845 V is well below what is expected for its band gap of 1.5 eV. The incorporation of an electron reflector is a strategy to improve the open-circuit voltage of solar cells, and thus a strong possibility for improving the efficiency of CdTe thin-film” [1]. An electron reflector is a conduction-band energy barrier at the back surface of the solar cell, which can reduce the recombination due to the electron flow to the back surface. The different methods of creating an electron reflector are explained in the electron-reflector strategy paper