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Optimization of imprintable nanostructured a-Si solar cells: FDTD study
Christian Fisker1, Thomas Garm Pedersen
1Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg East, Denmark. fisker@nano.aau.dk
Optics Express
|March 14, 2013
Summary
This study optimized nanoscale patterns on amorphous silicon solar cells using FDTD simulations. The patterned cells achieved a 14.9% efficiency increase, outperforming flat and textured designs.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film solar cells are a key technology for renewable energy.
- Enhancing light absorption is crucial for improving solar cell efficiency.
- Nanoscale patterning offers a route to boost light trapping in thin film devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of nanoscale surface patterns on amorphous silicon thin film solar cell performance.
- To optimize pattern geometry (period) and anti-reflection (AR) coating thickness for maximum solar spectrum absorption.
- To evaluate the efficiency gains compared to flat and textured reference cells.
Main Methods:
- Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations were employed to model light propagation and absorption.
- Anisotropic silicon gratings were designed and optimized for their period.
- Anti-reflection (AR) coating thickness and a zinc oxide back reflector layer were systematically varied.
Main Results:
- Optimized patterned cells showed a 10.2% efficiency increase over flat cells with optimized AR coatings.
- Incorporating a 50 nm zinc oxide layer on the back reflector further boosted efficiency by an additional 4.7%, totaling 14.9%.
- Patterned cells demonstrated up to 3.8% higher efficiency than optimized textured reference cells.
Conclusions:
- Nanoscale patterning of amorphous silicon thin film solar cells significantly enhances light absorption and overall efficiency.
- The optimized structure is robust, with manufacturing variations below ±10% having negligible impact.
- This approach presents a promising strategy for developing next-generation, high-efficiency thin film solar devices.
