The Effect of Electrical Properties by Texturing Surface on GaAs Solar Cell Efficiency

Abstract

Problem statement: This project discusses on the method to resolve the optical losses problem that have been hindering the totality efficiency of the photovoltaic. Solar cell simulation could be useful for time saving and cost consumption. The Silvaco software is not widely used in designing the 2D solar cell devices because there is lots of 1D, 2D and 3D-simulation beside Silvaco software such as MicroTec, SCAPS-1D. Approach: The different models surface texturing on GaAs solar cell had been simulated by using the Virtual Wafer Fab (VWF), SILVACO software in this project. Results: It was expected that modification of 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 is the simple structure, V-trench structure, fours-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 had been shown that modified surface of GaAs solar cell had improved the efficiency up to more than 2% and its quality application performance about 10%. Conclusion: From the simulation result, the V-trench structure is the best surface texture for GaAs solar cell compared to the others, which has J_sc is 3.575 mA cm^-2, V_oc is 0.807 V and efficiency is 23.07% in 90° incident light.