Numerical simulations of novel SiGe-based IBC-HJ solar cell for standalone and mechanically stacked tandem applications. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pandey, Rahul; Chaujar, Rishu
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 93(2017)
• Page Start: 282
• Page End: 289
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Perovskite -- Solar cell -- Tandem -- IBC-SiGeHJ -- Energy; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2017.05.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Innovative Si0.75 Ge0.25 based IBC-HJ solar cell been proposed and simulated. Optimization has been done for 10 μm thick IBC-SiGeHJ. 15.4% PCE has been simulated under standalone operating condition. In combination with perovskite top subcell, we further demonstrate 25.7% PCE. Results shows, proposed design, can be a good candidate to obtained ultra-high efficiencies. Abstract: In this study, a novel 10 μm thick interdigitated back contact silicon-germanium heterojunction (IBC-Si1- x Ge x HJ) solar cell device has been designed and simulated for standalone and four-terminal mechanically stacked tandem applications. Optimization of i-a-SiGe: H thickness, the width of n-a-SiGe: H region, p-a-SiGe: H region and gap along with composition fraction ( x ) lead to 15.5% power conversion efficiency (PCE) in a stand-alone configuration. Whereas in combination with perovskite top subcell we further demonstrate 25.7% PCE in four-terminal tandem configuration. In mechanical stacking, top and bottom subcells are fabricated individually and then assembled in a module, which avoids the need for current matching between subcells, thereby giving greater process and design flexibility. The proposed IBC-SiGeHJ solar cell is ∼ (25–30) times thinner than conventional Si solar cells which are used as bottom subcell in perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell. The results reveal that the proposed 4-terminal mechanically stacked perovskite/IBC-SiGeHJ tandem device may open new doors for the energy efficient applications. All the simulations have been done using Silvaco technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulator.