The effect of surface texturing on GaAs solar cell using TCAD tools

Abstract

Solar cell simulation could be useful for time saving and cost consumption. This project discusses on the method to resolve the optical losses problem that have been hindering the totality efficiency of the photovoltaic. The different models surface texturing on GaAs solar cell have been simulated by using the Virtual Wafer Fab (VWF), SILVACO software in this project. It was expected that the modification of the surface texturing might distinctly improved the spectral sensitivity of the photovoltaic by reducing the light reflection and improving the light trapping. There are four models surface texture of photovoltaic devices. It was the simple structure, V-trench structure, four-sided structure and semi-sphere structure. Hence, the incoming light will hit the GaAs surface several times. Light, which is not absorbed in its first passage through the cell, has the additional opportunities to be absorbed into the cell. It has been shown that the modified surface of GaAs solar cell have improved the efficiency up to more than 2% and its quality application performance about 9%. From the simulation result, the V-trench structure is the optimum surface textured for GaAs solar cell compared to the others, which has Jsc is 3.5752 nA, V oc is 0.800 V and efficiency is 23.07%. © 2008 IEEE.