Simulation and performance analysis of superstrate Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ solar cells using nanostructured Zn_1−xV_xO thin films
by Kamal Djessas; Idris Bouchama; Kahina Medjnoun; Abdesselam Bouloufa
International Journal of Nanotechnology (IJNT), Vol. 11, No. 9/10/11, 2014

Abstract: In this paper, we describe in the first step the structural, electrical and optical properties of the nanostructured Zn_1−xV_xO thin films deposited on glass substrates by rf-magnetron sputtering using aerogel nanoparticles synthesised by the sol-gel method. The best properties, satisfying the role of window and buffer layers, were achieved, respectively, for the films of Zn_0.99V_0.01O elaborated at room temperature and Zn_0.80V_0.20O at 200°C. In the second step, the nanostructured Zn_0.99V_0.01O and Zn_0.80V_0.20O layers are, respectively, proposed as alternative to the traditional (ITO) window and (CdS) buffer layers and tested numerically in Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) solar cell using one-dimensional AMPS-1D device simulator. The influence of physical and geometrical parameters of the p-type CIGS absorber layer on the performance of the superstrate SLG/(n+)Zn_0.99V_0.01O/(n)Zn_0.80V_0.20O/(p)Cu(In,Ga)Se₂/Mo solar cell was investigated. The calculations assume fixed Zn_1−xV_xO input parameters. The carrier concentration and thickness of the absorber layer were found to be a key factor, affecting the solar cell performance. On the basis of the simulation results, a short-circuit current density of about 33 mA/cm² has been obtained for 4 μm-CIGS solar cell using n-type Zn_0.80V_0.20O buffer layer for 100 nm thick. It is also found that a conversion efficiency of more than 19% AM 1.5 G could be expected for more than 3 μm absorber thickness and acceptor concentration varying between 2 × 10¹⁶ and 10¹⁷ cm⁻³. From the results obtained, we suggest the use of Zn_0.80V_0.20O and Zn_0.99V_0.01O as a buffer and window layers, respectively, to achieve high-efficiency CIGS solar cells with better photovoltaic parameters.

Online publication date: Wed, 14-Jan-2015

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