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Performance Improvement of npn Solar Cell Microstructure by TCAD Simulation: Role of Emitter Contact and ARC

Author

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  • Marwa S. Salem

    (Department of Computer Engineering, College of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 55211, Saudi Arabia
    Department of Electrical Communication and Electronics Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Modern Science and Arts University (MSA), Cairo 12556, Egypt)

  • Abdelhalim Zekry

    (Department of Electronics and Communications, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt)

  • Ahmed Shaker

    (Department of Engineering Physics and Mathematics, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt)

  • Mohamed Abouelatta

    (Department of Electronics and Communications, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt)

  • Tariq S. Almurayziq

    (Department of Computer Science and Information, Computer Science and Engineering College, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 55211, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohammad T. Alshammari

    (Department of Computer Science and Information, Computer Science and Engineering College, University of Ha’il, Ha’il 55211, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohamed M. El-Banna

    (Department of Engineering Physics and Mathematics, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt)

Abstract

In the current study, the performance of the npn solar cell (SC) microstructure is improved by inspecting some modifications to provide possible paths for fabrication techniques of the structure. The npn microstructure is simulated by applying a process simulator by starting with a heavily doped p -type substrate which could be based on low-cost Si wafers. After etching deep notches through the substrate and forming the emitter by n -type diffusion, an aluminum layer is deposited to form the emitter electrode with about 0.1 µm thickness; thereby, the notches are partially filled. This nearly-open-notches microstructure, using thin metal instead of filling the notch completely with Al, gives an efficiency of 15.3%, which is higher than the conventional structure by 0.8%. Moreover, as antireflection coating (ARC) techniques play a crucial role in decreasing the front surface reflectivity, we apply different ARC schemes to inspect their influence on the optical performance. The influence of utilizing single layer (ZnO), double (Si 3 N 4 /ZnO), and triple (SiO 2 /Si 3 N/ZnO) ARC systems is investigated, and the simulation results are compared. The improvement in the structure performance because of the inclusion of ARC is evaluated by the relative change in the efficiency (Δη). In the single, double, and triple ARC, Δη is found to be 12.5%, 15.4%, and 17%, respectively. All simulations are performed by using a full TCAD process and device simulators under AM1.5 illumination.

Suggested Citation

  • Marwa S. Salem & Abdelhalim Zekry & Ahmed Shaker & Mohamed Abouelatta & Tariq S. Almurayziq & Mohammad T. Alshammari & Mohamed M. El-Banna, 2022. "Performance Improvement of npn Solar Cell Microstructure by TCAD Simulation: Role of Emitter Contact and ARC," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:19:p:7179-:d:929091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeong Eun Park & Chang-Soon Han & Won Seok Choi & Donggun Lim, 2021. "Effect of Various Wafer Surface Etching Processes on c-Si Solar Cell Characteristics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Caixia Zhang & Honglie Shen & Luanhong Sun & Jiale Yang & Shiliang Wu & Zhonglin Lu, 2020. "Bifacial p-Type PERC Solar Cell with Efficiency over 22% Using Laser Doped Selective Emitter," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Marwa. S. Salem & Ahmed Shaker & Abdelhalim Zekry & Mohamed Abouelatta & Adwan Alanazi & Mohammad T. Alshammari & Christian Gontand, 2021. "Analysis of Hybrid Hetero-Homo Junction Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells by SCAPS Simulator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-22, September.
    4. Peng Cui & Dong Wei & Jun Ji & Hao Huang & Endong Jia & Shangyi Dou & Tianyue Wang & Wenjing Wang & Meicheng Li, 2019. "Planar p–n homojunction perovskite solar cells with efficiency exceeding 21.3%," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(2), pages 150-159, February.
    5. Kunta Yoshikawa & Hayato Kawasaki & Wataru Yoshida & Toru Irie & Katsunori Konishi & Kunihiro Nakano & Toshihiko Uto & Daisuke Adachi & Masanori Kanematsu & Hisashi Uzu & Kenji Yamamoto, 2017. "Silicon heterojunction solar cell with interdigitated back contacts for a photoconversion efficiency over 26%," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(5), pages 1-8, May.
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