Characteristics Of Solar Cells Research Articles

Characterization of fully-evaporated perovskite solar cells and photodetectors under high-intensity pulsed proton irradiation

This study investigates the impact of proton irradiation on perovskite devices fabricated fully through vacuum deposition. Exposure to irradiation induces changes in both electrical and optical properties. The analysis reveals that the main factors influencing the observed performance changes in solar cells are a significant reduction in shunt resistance and a minor increase in series resistance, with minimal alterations in recombination dynamics. Remarkably, the devices maintain promising photodetector characteristics both before and after proton irradiation, particularly in a self-powered mode without a reverse bias. These findings provide valuable insights into the resilience of vacuum-deposited perovskite devices against ionizing radiation, highlighting their potential for applications in radiation-prone environments, such as the nuclear industry or space exploration.

K2Ag(Ga/In)Br6 lead-free HDPs: Investigation of the elastic, optoelectronic, optical coating, and thermal characteristics for thermoelectric and solar cells

In this study, an investigation of the structural stability, elastic, optoelectronic, thermoelectric, optical thin-film coating, and thermodynamic properties of K2Ag(Ga/In)Br6 (lead-free halide double perovskites, HDPs) was performed using first-principles calculations. The optimized structural parameters are in good agreement with the available data. Furthermore, Goldsmith's tolerance factor indicates an ideal value for both double perovskites, ensuring the structural stability of the cubic perovskites, and the elasticity parameters were analyzed to ensure the mechanical stability of the cubic phase. Direct and reduced band gaps of 0.4524 eV and 1.064 eV with semiconductor behavior are found for K2AgGaBr6 and K2AgInBr6, respectively, through adoption of the modified Becke–Johnson potential scheme. The absorption coefficient, refractive index, and dielectric function, as some of the optical properties, in addition to the optical thin-film properties, are well discussed, and the values suggest that these materials are promising candidates for different devices, such as optoelectronic and photovoltaic energy devices. In terms of the thermodynamics, the HDPs display favorable characteristics across various temperature and pressure ranges. Additionally, we assessed the thermoelectric properties, considering the power factor, Seebeck coefficient, thermal and electronic conductivities, and figure of merit. The current predictions suggest that these lead-free halide double perovskites have strong potential for application in thermoelectricity and photovoltaics.

Development of generalized photovoltaic model using ISIS-PROTEUS

Photovoltaic (PV) energy is a form of renewable energy that generates electricity from sunlight. PV systems consist of solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity using a process known as the photovoltaic effect. Modeling and simulating PV systems involves using mathematical and computational models to predict the behavior and performance of PV systems under various conditions. This can include modeling the electrical characteristics of solar cells, as well as the interactions between multiple cells in a PV module or system. Following this sense, we present in this work a novel implementation of a generalized PV model using ISIS Proteus software. Proteus is layout software for electronic circuit simulation, schematic capture and PCB design. Some studies have indeed taken this context to model the PV modules either by using a Proteus Spice model of the photovoltaic panel without including the effect of climatic conditions variation, or by using pure mathematical relations that describe all physical and environmental parameters which will lead to a static behavior. The developed model in this paper as it is generalized, can be typically used as a PV cell, module even a generator for a complete simulation of a PV system. PV cell, which is the elementary component of PV system, is modeled using the single diode equivalent circuit (SDM) also known as five-parameter model and its behavior is simulated in details. The most advantage in our study is the fact that the PV output can be obtained wherever what solar radiation and ambient temperature where PV module is operating. Our model gives also the possibility to simulate a dynamic behavior under any climatic conditions. The accuracy between obtained results of simulation and the experimental data confirm the reliability and the high performance of the developed model.

Explicit representation of S-shaped and standard V–I curve of illuminated solar cell

A generalized explicit model is proposed in this study to model the S-shaped and standard voltage-current characteristics (V–I) of illuminated solar cells. Even though the voltage-current characteristics of a typical solar cell follow a single exponential model (single diode model), there is evidence of S-shaped voltage-current characteristics that cannot be captured by the existing standard analytical models. The proposed explicit analytic representation is comparatively simple and produces satisfactory results in depicting the voltage-current curve for a wide variety of solar cells, including those with S-shaped characteristics. The methodology for determining the empirical parameters of the proposed model is also described, including an easy estimation of maximum power point voltage using model parameters.

Enhancing Pb-free inorganic perovskite solar cell using carbon as metal back contact and molybdenum trioxide as hole transport layer

Inorganic Pb-free perovskite solar cells have appeared in recent years as a promising and environmentally friendly technology in photovoltaics. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive simulation investigation using SCAPS-1D software to optimize Pb-free inorganic perovskite solar cells, focusing specifically on the use of RbGeI3 as the absorber material in the FTO/TiO2/RbGeI3/MoO3/C device architecture. The carbon back contact in this configuration stands out for its cost-effectiveness and durability. Our research focused on the influence of various critical parameters, including the thickness of the absorber, electron affinity of ETL and HTL, series, and shunt resistances, back-contact material work functions, and operating temperatures. This achieved a PCE of 29.47 %, FF of 78.22 %, VOC of 1.111 V and JSC of 33.91 mA/cm2. The results indicate that perovskite solar cells using RbGeI3 as an absorber material exhibit improved performance and good thermal stability, underlining the great potential of this material. In addition, the eco-friendly characteristics of these Pb-free inorganic perovskite solar cells hold great promise for advancing the field of clean energy conversion technologies, marking an important step towards sustainable and efficient energy solutions.

Improving photovoltaic cell parameter calculations through a puffer fish inspired optimization technique

The precise estimation of solar PV cell parameters has become increasingly important as solar energy deployment expands. Due to the intricate and nonlinear characteristics of solar PV cells, meta-heuristic algorithms show greater promise than traditional ones for parameter estimation. This study utilizes the Puffer Fish (PF) meta-heuristic optimization method, inspired by male puffer fish's circular structures, to estimate parameters of a modified four-diode PV cell. The PF algorithm's performance is assessed against ten benchmark test functions, with results presented as mean and standard deviation for validation. Comparative analysis with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO), Rat Search Algorithm (RAT), Heap Based Optimizer (HBO), and Cuckoo Search (CS) algorithms highlights PF's superior performance, achieving optimal solutions with minimal error of 7.8947E-08. Statistical tests, including Friedman Ranking (1st) and Wilcoxon's rank sum (3.8108E-07), confirm PF's superiority. The circular structures of male puffer fish serve as an effective model for optimization algorithms, enhancing parameter estimation. Benchmark tests and statistical analysis consistently underscore PF's superiority over other meta-heuristic algorithms. Future research should explore PF's potential applications in solar energy and beyond.

A test of meta-heuristic algorithms for parameter extraction of next-generation solar cells with S-shaped current–voltage curves

Identifying parameters of photovoltaic (PV) models based on measured current–voltage (IV) characteristic curves is critical for simulating, evaluating, and controlling PV systems. IV characteristics of the latest-generation solar cells (SCs) often display an S-shaped deformation. In this paper, we explore the potential of meta-heuristic algorithms to address the parameter estimation problems associated with PV cells that exhibit S-shaped IV characteristics. This estimation is performed within the framework of the opposed two-diode model. We implemented a total of 14 algorithms from various classes to extract the SC parameters from synthetic IV curves, which were generated using a range of parameter values. The results were compared by using nonparametric statistical methods. These methods include the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for pairwise comparisons, and the Friedman, Friedman Aligned, and Quade tests for multiple comparisons. Comprehensive results and analyses show that the STLBO (Simplified teaching–learning based optimization algorithm) and ADELI (Adaptive differential evolution with the Lagrange interpolation argument) algorithms demonstrate highly competitive performance in terms of accuracy and reliability. This paper underscores the efficacy of advanced meta-heuristic algorithms in solving complex non-linear optimization problems in the domain of photovoltaic research, particularly concerning the unique challenges posed by S-shaped IV characteristics of new-generation solar cells.

Impact of Temperature Optimization of ITO Thin Film on Tandem Solar Cell Efficiency.

This study examined the impact of temperature optimization on indium tin oxide (ITO) films in monolithic HJT/perovskite tandem solar cells. ITO films were deposited using magnetron sputtering at temperatures ranging from room temperature (25 °C) to 250 °C. The sputtering target was ITO, with a mass ratio of In2O3 to SnO2 of 90% to 10%. The effects of temperature on the ITO film were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), spectroscopic ellipsometry, and sheet resistance measurements. Results showed that all ITO films exhibited a polycrystalline morphology, with diffraction peaks corresponding to planes (211), (222), (400), (440), and (622), indicating a cubic bixbyite crystal structure. The light transmittance exceeded 80%, and the sheet resistance was 75.1 Ω/sq for ITO deposited at 200 °C. The optical bandgap of deposited ITO films ranged between 3.90 eV and 3.93 eV. Structural and morphological characterization of the perovskite solar cell was performed using XRD and FE-SEM. Tandem solar cell performance was evaluated by analyzing current density-voltage characteristics under simulated sunlight. By optimizing the ITO deposition temperature, the tandem cell achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.74%, resulting in enhanced tandem cell efficiency.

Exploring the Effect of Ce Doping on Structural, Magnetic Solar Cell and Optical Characteristics of Nano ZnMn2O4

Exploring the Effect of Ce Doping on Structural, Magnetic Solar Cell and Optical Characteristics of Nano ZnMn2O4

Special Trans Function based exact expressions for the double and triple diode models of solar cells: Superior fitness, accuracy and convergence

Inspired by the fact that the Special Trans Function (STF) is more accurate than Lambert W function (LWF), this paper rigorously derives two types of STF-based exact expressions for the double-diode model (DDM) and triple-diode model (TDM) of solar cells. The former involves multi-STF (mSTF), while the latter contains single-STF (sSTF), bridging the remaining gap in describing the nonlinear I–V characteristic of solar cells using STF. The proposed mSTF and sSTF are closely linked with but different from the multi-Lambert W function (mLWF), single-LWF (sLWF) and implicit exponential function (IEF) based expressions, particularly in terms of fitness and parameter extraction. Through a fitness test involving 203 cases in the space of STF branch x∈R+, it was found that under the same parameter values, the proposed mSTF consistently outperforms in fitting the measured I–V data of various solar cell/modules, followed by the proposed sSTF, mLWF, sLWF, and finally IEF-based expression. Notably, all optimal STF branch x fall within the interval of x∈[0,6] rather than the preset x∈[0,20]. A normalized trust-region-reflective (NTRR) algorithm and a V-shaped selection strategy are developed to improve the parameter extraction of proposed mSTF and sSTF. Results from the derivative-dependent V-shaped NTRR algorithm and population-based Rcr-IJADE algorithm indicate that the proposed sSTF consistently achieves the highest accuracy and fastest convergence speed, followed by the mSTF, sLWF, mLWF and IEF-based expression. Moreover, the proposed sSTF exhibits fewer degeneracies from TDM to DDM compared to other expressions. Given these advantages, the proposed mSTF and sSTF show great promise for PV simulation and therefore deserve serious attention.

Impact of La doping on the optoelectronic and structural properties of CsPbIBr2 perovskite solar cell

Inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells (IPSC) have high power conversion efficiency (PCE). Currently, heteroatom substitution is a promising method for enhancing the properties of perovskite materials and the performance of associated devices. This study outlines the production process of a perovskite solar cell made from inorganic CsPbIBr2 with a 4 % La doping. The cubic crystal structure with large grain size and small band gap energy is observed at 4 % La–CsPbIBr2. The optoelectronic and structural characteristics of CsPbIBr2 perovskite solar cells have been substantiated through various methodologies, such as the determination of space charge restricted current, examination of the photoluminescence decay profile, assessment of charge transfer resistance, and utilization of Mott Schottky analysis. The incorporation of lanthanum-doped cesium lead iodide bromide (La-doped CsPbIBr2) resulted in a notable enhancement in both the open circuit voltage (Voc), and the short circuit current density (Jsc), leading to a much higher overall efficiency of 9.89 % compared to the pristine counterpart, which exhibited an efficiency of 8.62 %.

An experimental investigation of spin-on doping optimization for enhanced electrical characteristics in silicon homojunction solar cells: Proof of concept

The pursuit of enhancing the performance of silicon-based solar cells is pivotal for the progression of solar photovoltaics as the most potential renewable energy technologies. Despite the existence of sophisticated methods like diffusion and ion implantation for doping phosphorus into p-type silicon wafers in the semiconductor industry, there is a compelling need to research spin-on doping techniques, especially in the context of tandem devices, where fabricating the bottom cell demands meticulous control over conditions. The primary challenge with existing silicon cell fabrication methods lies in their complexity, cost, and environmental concerns. Thus, this research focuses on the optimization of parameters, such as, deposition of the spin on doping layer, emitter thickness (Xj), and dopant concentration (ND) to maximize solar cell efficiency. We utilized both fabrication and simulation techniques to delve into these factors. Employing silicon wafer thickness of 625 μm, the study explored the effects of altering the count of dopant layers through the spin-on dopant (SOD) technique in the device fabrication. Interestingly, the increase of the dopant layers from 1 to 4 enhances efficiency, whereby, further addition of 6 and 8 layers worsens both series and shunt resistances, affecting the solar cell performance. The peak efficiency of 11.75 % achieved in fabrication of 4 layers dopant. By using device simulation with wxAMPS to perform a combinatorial analysis of Xj and ND, we further identified the optimal conditions for an emitter to achieve peak performance. Altering Xj between 0.05 μm and 10 μm and adjusting ND from 1e+15 cm−3 to 9e+15 cm−3, we found that maximum efficiency of 14.18 % was attained for Xj = 1 μm and ND = 9e+15 cm−3. This research addresses a crucial knowledge gap, providing insights for creating more efficient, cost-effective, and flexible silicon solar cells, thereby enhancing their viability as a sustainable energy source.

Indium-free nonmetal and Nb co-doped anatase TiO2 transparent conductive oxide materials for photovoltaic applications: From first-principles calculations to macroscopic simulation

Various researchers have attempted to design indium-free transparent conductive materials. This study first employed density functional theory combined with the Hubbard U parameter to predict the photoelectric properties of nonmetal (B, C, N, F, P, and S) and Nb co-doped anatase TiO2. The results indicate that Ti0.875Nb0.125O1.96875N0.03125, Ti0.9375Nb0.0625O1.96875F0.03125, Ti0.875Nb0.125O1.96875P0.03125 and Ti0.9375Nb0.0625O1.96875S0.03125 possess characteristics of n-type semiconductors with high transmittance, exceptional thermal stability and wide bandgap. Notably, Ti0.9375Nb0.0625O1.96875S0.03125 exhibits optimal electronic conductivity due to its lower effective mass and higher electron concentration. Then, we used the SCAPS-1D solar cell simulation software to simulate the macroscopic characteristics of the MASnI3-based perovskite solar cell with Ti0.9375Nb0.0625O1.96875S0.03125 transparent conductive oxide layer based on the microscopic properties computed at the density functional theory level. A maximum efficiency of 27.17 % is obtained by regulating the thickness, electron affinity, and defect density of Ti0.9375Nb0.0625O1.96875S0.03125 layer and the thickness of MASnI3 absorber layer. The findings highlight the tremendous potential of Ti0.9375Nb0.0625O1.96875S0.03125 as an indium-free transparent conductive oxide candidate material for photovoltaic applications.

Dye-sensitized solar cell: Effect of light on N3 dye/BMII electrolyte based architecture

This study evaluates the photovoltaic performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) for various light conditions. This work focuses on exploring the experimental characteristics of a thin-film solar cell composed of an ITO/TiO2/N3-Dye and BMII electrolyte molecules/Pt/ITO. A meticulous investigation is conducted to understand the impact of different illumination intensities on the efficiency of these solar cells. In the experiments, the power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of the device reached 7.61 % with a maximum open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.67 V under 100 mW/cm2 AM 1.5 solar irradiance. The morphology of the TiO2 nanoparticles that have been synthesized for the DSSC were analyzed by Ultraviolet–Visible Spectrometry, X-Ray Diffractometry, as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) parameters and Nyquist plot results showed that a systematic understanding of charge transfer within the DSSC is essential to extract an equivalent circuit model. The results of this study allow optimizing the performance of future DSSCs for sustainable energy systems.

Investigation of the structural and optoelectronic characteristics in coumarin-based dye-sensitized solar cells, both in isolation and with TiO2 adsorption

In this study, six novel organic dyes derived from coumarin have been formulated by limiting the rotation of bithiophene through the introduction of substituents, namely NCH3, Si(CH3)2, C(CH3)2, C=C(CH3)2, and C=O. Their structural, electronic, photovoltaic, and spectral properties were investigated using density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. Furthermore, the time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) at TD-BHandH/6-31G(d,p) level method was chosen to calculate the electronic absorption spectra and charge transfer characteristics of the investigated dyes in the chloroform solvent, as well as molecular properties such as geometries parameters, optoelectronic properties, and frontier molecular orbitals. With our studies, we reveal that all the studied dyes show significance in the range of 340.97–610.89 nm, with a band gap in the range of 1.90–2.26 eV, as well as high light capture efficiency (LHE) and significant intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) properties. In addition, we were interested in the energetic, electronic, and absorption studies of dyes linked to the TiO2 semiconductor (Dye@TiO2). All designed dyes exhibit better geometric and optoelectronic properties except for D3, which has the lowest gap energy and extends towards the red. The results reveal that these compounds would be used as potential sensitizers for DSSC applications.

Ion-migration analysis of degradation caused by outdoor exposure and accelerated stress testing in perovskite solar cells

In this study, we conducted outdoor exposure testing and investigated the degradation mechanism of perovskite solar cells deployed in the field. We conducted a detailed failure analysis to identify specific degradation modes induced by outdoor exposure, using current–voltage curve measurements, maximum power evaluation, and mobile-ion analysis. This analysis revealed a significant change in the ion-migration current response of the devices after exposure. These changes suggest that the modification of mobile ions and formation of defects within the perovskite materials are likely the primary causes of degradation. Additionally, we compared the solar cell characteristics observed after the field test with the results of controlled indoor accelerated stress tests, which included exposure to visible light, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and thermal stress. Our findings highlight that the degradation patterns induced by UV irradiation at elevated temperatures closely resemble those caused by outdoor stress. We also discuss indoor test conditions that replicate the degradation phenomena experienced during outdoor exposure. This ability to replicate outdoor degradation phenomena under laboratory conditions is crucial for accelerating the development of robust and durable perovskite solar cells.

Improving photovoltaic characteristics of CdS-based hybrid solar cells through Mn incorporation

CdS thin films, both with and without Mn-doping, were grown via chemical bath deposition on indium tin oxide-coated glass substrates for application in hybrid solar cells. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that Mn doping led to a deterioration in the crystal quality of CdS samples, evidenced by increased microstrain and dislocation density. Mn atoms were interstitially incorporated into the CdS structure, resulting in an expansion of the unit cell volume. Morphological analysis indicated a decrease in grain size from 390 nm to 140 nm for 0 % and 2 % Mn-doped CdS samples, respectively, while maintaining the spherical shape of the CdS thin films. Mn doping also increased the transmittance of CdS thin films, with the highest transparency of 95 % at 580 nm achieved for the 2 % Mn-doped CdS sample. In comparison to undoped CdS (2.38 eV), the band gap of CdS samples initially decreased to 1.84 eV for 1 % Mn doping but significantly increased to 3.03 eV for 2 % Mn-doped CdS. Photoluminescence (PL) data indicated that 2 % Mn-doped CdS thin films exhibited the lowest peak intensity, suggesting that a high concentration of Mn atoms caused non-radiative charge recombination. Additionally, efficient exciton dissociation was observed between CdS:Mn and P3HT:PCBM (poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)) layers in the 2 % Mn-doped CdS-based device, as per the PL results. Photovoltaic measurements demonstrated that compared to undoped CdS, 2 % Mn doping increased the power conversion efficiency of the CdS-based device from 0.070 % to 0.202 %, indicating an almost threefold increase in hybrid solar cell efficiency. This improvement is likely attributed to the development of a better interface between the CdS:Mn and P3HT:PCBM layers.

Fabrication of thin film solar cell based on CoO-CoS/P2-Amino-1-mercaptobenzene/polypyrrole with additional promising sensitivities to photons in a broad optical region

The production of a thin-film solar cell device, employing CoO-CoS/P2-Amino-1-mercaptobenzene/polypyrrole (CoO-CoS-P2AMB/Ppy), showcases enhanced sensitivity across a broad optical spectrum. This achievement is realized through a one-pot polymerization process involving 2-Amino-1-mercaptobenzene, Co(NO3)2, and K2S2O8. Notably, the polymerization reaction incorporates the inclusion of a Ppy seeding layer into the solution. To comprehensively characterize the synthesized materials, an array of analytical tools is employed. Subsequently, the CoO-CoS-P2AMB/Ppy device undergoes rigorous testing under diverse light conditions, including darkness, white light, and monochromatic light. These conditions aim to assess the device’s responsiveness to photons of varying energies, where the resulting current density (Jph) serves as an indicator of generated hot electrons and the overall efficiency of the fabricated device. At a potential of 2.0 V, the measured values for Jph and dark current (Jo) stand at 0.11 and 0.04 mA.cm−2, respectively. The solar cell characteristics are further evaluated through measured values for JSC (−0.01 μA.cm−2) and VOC (0.038 V), reflecting the device’s performance under solar testing conditions. In addition to its solar cell attributes, the device exhibits light-sensing behavior, quantified through calculated photoresponsivity (R) and detectivity (D) values. These values, obtained under various monochromatic lights, amount to 0.49 mA.W−1 and 1.1 × 108 Jones, respectively. The exceptional performance of the CoO-CoS-P2AMB/Ppy thin-film solar cell device, coupled with its light-sensing capabilities, positions the device as a promising candidate for commercial applications. Its potential extends to the fabrication of cost-effective thin-film sensing devices, presenting opportunities for widespread utilization in various industries.

Temperature Dependency of Photoelectronic Properties of Group III-V Arsenide Solar Cell

This study explores the effect of temperature on different characteristics of Solar Cells (SC) composed of a structured III-V arsenide group. The temperature dependence of the SC characteristics was investigated numerically and by simulation. In both approaches, each characteristic was compared with a conventional Si SC. InAs showed superior stability and lower temperature sensitivity, as it has a negligible decrease of 0.098 eV in the energy bandgap, while the energy bandgaps of Si, AlAs, and GaAs are 0.129, 0.186, and 0.200 eV, respectively. Moreover, with a decay rate of 81.911 mV/°K, InAs exhibited the lowest temperature sensitivity in open-circuit voltage. InAs additionally demonstrated the least increase in degradation rate, while the SC power output is still a cause of concern. AlAs, Si, and GaAs had a total accumulative gradient change of 0.162, 0.136, and 0.034% in the degradation rate, respectively, while InAs showcased the highest stability by displaying a change of only 0.008%. A comparative analysis illustrated that among these III-V arsenide compounds, InAs had a rock-bottom sensitivity to temperature changes and better temperature stability in both numerical and simulation approaches.

Optimized parameter extraction techniques for enhanced performance evaluation of organic solar cells

The global energy landscape is in the midst of a transformative shift, compelled by the urgent need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and embrace eco-friendly alternatives. Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have emerged as a promising alternative, offering the distinct advantage of performing well in low-light conditions, including indoor environments. Extensive research and development efforts are dedicated to realizing the full potential of OPVs as adaptable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solar energy solutions. This paper conducts a thorough examination of the intricate characterization of organic solar cells, with a specific emphasis on crucial parameters like power conversion efficiency, open-circuit voltage, and fill factor. The study utilizes a single diode model to simulate these cells' behavior, employing a meticulous process for parameter extraction. This method leverages Origin software and Python programming, incorporating open-source packages to ensure robust validation. This systematic and rigorous approach significantly enhances our comprehension of OPVs and plays a substantial role in optimizing their performance. In essence, this research represents a significant step forward in advancing sustainable energy technologies, laying a foundation for a greener and more environmentally conscious future.