Numerical modeling of CdTe solar cells thin film investigation by using PC1D model

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of individual layers of cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell to improve the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell. Design/methodology/approach To improve the performances of CdTe thin-film solar cells, the thickness of CdTe and cadmium sulfide (CdS) have been modified separately. High-efficiency ultra-thin CdTe solar cell with ZnTe layer as back surface field (BSF) was achieved. The CdTe solar cell is under AM1.5 g illumination using a one-dimensional (1-D) model, i.e. personal computer one dimensional (PC1D). Findings The highest conversion efficiency of about 15.3 per cent was achieved for ultrathin CdTe solar cell with a ZnTe BSF layer. The results of simulation were compared with experimental and analytical results by other researchers. Originality/value In this paper, according to the authors’ knowledge ZnO:Al/CdS/CdTe/ZnTe is simulated by PC1D model for the first time and is compared with experimental result (ZnO:Al/CdS/CdTe). The results show a suitable performance.