Surface Texturing Effects on the Performance of a Solar Cell

Abstract

In modern technology, people are becoming more and more dependent on solar energy. For this reason, solar cell is needed to be more improved. Solar cell is basically useful for its cost effectiveness and time saving capabilities. To improve efficiency, reflection of light should be reduced. Surface texturing is used to reduce light reflections and enhance light trapping. In this thesis, surface texturing is used on different layers of a GaAs solar cell. Some basic parameters of textured solar cell are studied here such as short circuit current, open circuit voltage, maximum power, external quantum efficiency, photon absorption rate and fill factor, and we compare them with the results of a non-textured solar cell. ATLAS and DEVEDIT of SILVACO tool are used for the simulation of these parameters. Standard AM 1.5 spectrum is used in this thesis. Maximum power for non-textured solar cell and textured solar cell is 21.08 mW/cm2 and 24.65 mW/cm2 respectively. Also, efficiency for non-textured solar cell and textured solar cell is respectively 21.08% and 24.65%. So, it can be shown that textured solar cell has better performance than non-textured solar cell.