Two-Dimensional Modelling and Simulation of Crystalline Silicon n⁺pp⁺ Solar Cell

Abstract:

In this work, we present the simulation results of the technological parameters and the electrical characteristics of a crystalline silicon n⁺pp⁺ solar cell, using two-dimension (2D) software, namely TCAD Silvaco (Technology Computer Aided Design). TCAD Silvaco Athena is used to simulate various stages of the technology manufacturing, while TCAD Silvaco Atlas is used for the simulation of the electrical characteristics and the spectral response of the solar cell. The J-V characteristics and the external quantum efficiency (EQE) are simulated under AM 1.5 illumination. The conversion efficiency(η)of 16.06% is reached and the other characteristic parameters are simulated: the open circuit voltage (Voc) is of 0.63 V, the short circuit current density (Jsc) equals 30.54 mA/cm² and the form factor (FF) is of 0.83 for the n+pp+ solar cell with a silicon nitride antireflection layer (Si3N4). In order to highlight the importance of the back surface field (BSF), a comparison between two cells, one without BSF (structure n⁺p), the other with one BSF (structure n⁺pp⁺), was made. By creating a BSF on the rear face of the cell the short circuit current density increases from 28.55 to 30.54 mA/cm², the open circuit voltage from 0.6 to 0.63 V and the conversion efficiency from 14.19 to 16.06%. A clear improvement of the spectral response is obtained in wavelengths ranging from 0.65 to 1.1 µm for the solar cell with BSF.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 260-261)
• Pages: 154-162
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.260-261.154
• Online since: December 2012
• Authors: S. Tobbeche, M.N. Kateb
• Keywords: Athena, ATLAS, BSF, Silicon Solar Cell, Simulation, TCAD Silvaco

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