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Modeling and Simulation Study on High-Efficiency Triple Junction Solar Cells: Optimizing Design Parameters for InGaP/GaAs/Ge |
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Paper Id :
19137 Submission Date :
2024-07-12 Acceptance Date :
2024-07-22 Publication Date :
2024-07-25
This is an open-access research paper/article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.13374186 For verification of this paper, please visit on
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Abstract |
A significant advancement in photovoltaic technology, high-efficiency triple-junction solar power cells improve efficiency by utilizing three semiconductor materials to capture a broader range of sunlight. The most challenging aspect of working with these semiconductors, such as indium gallium phosphide (InGa P), gallium arsenide (Ga As), and germanium (Ge), is finding the optimal balance between different design factors. This paper aims to develop methods to increase energy conversion efficiency and establish the foundation for improved and more durable solar energy solutions by optimizing the performance of triple-junction (3J) solar cells under varying temperatures. The results demonstrated that these variables have a significant impact on the performance of solar cells in terms of electrical output and overall efficiency. As the temperature increases from 300 K to 400 K, the values of the parameters vary according to Voc (2.868 V), Jsc (20.45 mA/cm²), Vmax (2.801 V), Jmax (19.821 mA/cm²), Pmax (52.4567 mW/cm²), Fill Factor (89.4341%), and Efficiency (41.9653%) These findings demonstrate a noteworthy advancement in solar energy technologies that improve sustainability and efficiency by optimizing different parameters and investigating novel approaches. The study also contributes to the ongoing development of photovoltaic systems |
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Keywords | Renewable Energy, Triple Junction, Solar Power, Semiconductors, Photovoltaic System. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Introduction | The sun is a significant source of energy on Earth's surface. The earth receives approximately 1000W/m2 of solar energy daily. This amount of sunlight has the potential to generate around 8500 TW of energy globally. As global energy demands continue to rise, solar photovoltaics play a crucial role in meeting those demands [1]. In solar photovoltaics, performance is the most crucia l factor to consider, as weather and light intensity are not consistently stable when used on land. Researchers are focusing on developing affordable and more efficient solar power devices [2]. The advancement of science and technology has led to the development and utilization of solar cells, or photovoltaic devices, for electricity generation through the principle of electronic radiative conversion. Solar cells are important devices designed to harness solar energy, providing a source of clean, renewable energy that could be utilized repeatedly [3]. Solar power has become a crucial renewable energy source that could significantly impact the future of energy production. Solar cells that convert light energy into electricity are categorized into different generations based on their materials and assembly methods [4][5]. In real-world conditions, humidity and temperature could reduce the stability of solar cells by affecting photoelectric and material characteristics [6]. However, simple steps have successfully manufactured high-efficiency Ga InP/Ga As/InGa As solar cells. These steps include applying a thin metal film to a flexible substrate, etching the Ga As substrate, and temporarily connecting the two [7]. It’s essential to conduct more rapid ageing tests to ensure the reliability of the process and the stability of flexible solar power cell performance. Currently, thin-film solar cells are the most commonly researched option due to their superior performance and lower cost [8]. Over the past few years, there has been significant research interest in micro-thin-film solar panels because of their lightweight nature, which is crucial for applications in space. Cadmium telluride (CdTe), amorphous silicon (a -Si), copper indium diselenide (CIS), and gallium arsenide (Ga As) are some thin-film light-absorbing semiconductor solar cell designs [9-10]. Ga As is a light-absorbing semiconductor from the III/V compound semiconductor and is the most efficient semiconductor in the world. At the Sandia (3/99) test centre, thin-film m-Si solar cells showed an efficiency of 25.0% (±0.5% tolerance). At Atla Device in the USA/New York, thin-film Ga As solar cells showed an efficiency of 29.1% (±0.6 tolerance). Germanium heterojunction solar cells a re 7.9% efficient at their best. Multi-junction solar cells (MJSCs) could produce
approximately twice the power of a regular solar cell of the same size [11]. They are a superior choice
due to their cost-effectiveness, higher power generation efficiency, and increased
theoretical conversion efficiency compared to other photovoltaic technologies.
Two types of MJSCs were evaluated: InGa P-Ga As dual-junction
solar panels with InGa P tunnelling layers and InGa P-Ga As-Ge triple- junction solar panel cells with Ga
As tunnelling layers [12]. Recent studies indicate that triple
junction (3J) solar panels have
achieved over 44% efficiency, with expectations
of reaching 50% efficiency for 4 to 5 -junction solar panel cells. Semiconductors such as Ge, Ga InAs/Ga As, and Ga
InP are widely utilized in triple-junction solar cells due to their efficient light absorption
and suitable minority carrier lifetimes and mobilities [13]. In a triple-junction solar cell, the first layer (Ga InP)
absorbs the short-range portion
of the spectrum, the second layer (Ga InAs) captures near-infrared light, and the third
layer (Ge) absorbs the lower energy
levels of infrared radiation. InGa P/Ga As/Ge triple-junction solar cells could function
more effectively in space by
reducing the wide band gap
of the middle cell [14]. In a triple-junction
solar cell model using InGa P, Ga As, and Ge, the heterojunction of two different
semiconductor components could only occur if their lattice constants were very close to each other [15]. The
traditional methods typically include experimental fabrication and testing f or
optimizing high-efficiency triple junction solar cells. This involves creating physical prototypes of solar
cells with various material configurations and layer thicknesses, testing their electrical output,
efficiency, and durability under different lighting conditions, and
using techniques like X-ray
diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) for
material characterization [16-17]. Studying the modelling
and simulation of high-efficiency triple junction
solar cells is important for
advancing solar energy technology
[18]. This research focuses on optimizing design parameters for InGa P/Ga As/Ge to maximize
efficiency. High-efficiency triple junction
solar cells have the potential to significantly increase the conversion of sunlight into
electricity, thus making solar power more viable and competitive with traditional energy sources [19]. The study faces limitations in simulation accuracy, material quality variations, and environmental factors. Simulations
could not capture all real-world phenomena,
leading to discrepancies between
simulated and actual performance
[20]. Variations in material
quality (InGa P, Ga As, Ge) and unconsidered environmental factors (temperature, radiation, mechanical stress) could impact
solar cell performance and durability affecting
the accuracy of the simulation results. Designing and
optimizing triple-junction solar
cells is highly complex. It involves multiple factors such as bandgap alignment, lattice matching,
and layer thickness [21]. Accurately estimating material properties is challenging, and limitations in simulation software
affect the reliability of models and
require significant computational resources. Validation with experimental data is crucial but difficult. Material variability and interlayer defects
could impact performance while managing heat dissipation is critical for efficiency [22]. Scalability
and maintaining cost-efficiency in large-scale production are significant challenges for the economic viability of optimized
designs. This research focuses on optimizing design parameters
for InGa P/ Ga As/Ge to maximize efficiency by using computational methods, this study aims to rapidly
identify the best configurations,
reducing the time and cost
associated with traditional experimental approaches. High-efficiency triple junction solar cells have the potential to significantly increase the conversion of sunlight into electricity, making solar power more viable and competitive
with traditional energy sources. This research not only enhances the scientific
understanding of multi- junction solar cells but also supports the development of more effective and affordable renewable energy solutions, crucial for addressing global energy demands and mitigating the impacts of climate change. |
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Objective of study | These are the research objectives for this research:
This research has the following research contributions:
The next parts of this work are structured in the following manner: The next section offers the relevant studies of various authors. Section III details the methodology for High-Efficiency Triple Junction Solar Cells: Optimizing Design Parameters for InGa P/Ga As/Ge. Section IV presents the simulation results, including performance analysis. Finally, Section V provides a conclusion of the outcomes of this study and outlines potential areas for further investigation |
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Review of Literature | In
this section, previous studies on
the modelling and simulation of InGa
P/Ga As/Ge solar cells are reviewed, which highlighting several critical parameters. Kharchich et al., (2024) [23] utilized a dual-junction
solar cell optimization technique made from
Ga As and Ga Sb to determine the ideal parameters for the uppermost base
layer, which was the most effective
method for absorbing the full spectrum of solar radiation. In the
standard AM1.5G spectrum, they were able
to get a power conversion efficiency of 41.65%, an open circuit
voltage of 1.78V, a short circuit current of 235.72 mA/cm^2, and a fill factor of 90.16%. Eddin et al., (2023)
[24] enhanced
the performance of a homojunction Ga As solar panel using the Silicon Valley Corporation (SILVACO) model
by incorporating a p-InGa
P layer for the front surface field (FSF) and an n- AlGa InP layer for the back surface field (BSF). The
finding showed that the basic cell achieved an efficiency of 7.82% to
increase the efficiency by
21.09%, it was recommended to add a
p-InGa P layer to the standard cell. Similarly, the basic cell utilizing the n-AlGa InP layer achieved an efficiency of
16.09%, while the best cell incorporating both FSF and BSF layers
achieved an efficiency of 30.88%. The improved eff iciency of cells with p-InGa P and n-AlGa
InP layers was attributed to higher photon absorption and photogeneration rates. Zakarya
et al (2023) [25] utilized Silvaco Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) tools to enhance a 5- junction cell that was comprised of AlInP,
AlGa InP, AlGa InAs, Ga InP, Ga As,
and InGa As, as well as Ge, which was the most efficient photovoltaic technology
currently available in multi-junction solar cells, which were composed of stacked III-V semiconductor junctions. Recent tests have demonstrated that these
cells were more than 47% efficient. The efficiency was determined by simulating the spectral absorption and I
-V characteristics for each semiconductor mix and identifying the best thickness set to achieve
a 26% performance under one sun . Xu et al., (2023) [26]
utilized the electroluminescence (EL) technique to measure the minority
carrier lifespan of each Inverted Metamorphic Multi-Junction (IMM3J) solar cell subcell before and after exposure to 2 MeV protons.
Before the exposure, the Ga InP, Ga As, and InGa As subcells had minority carrier lifetimes of 6.99 × 10−9 s, 3.09 × 10−8 s, and 2.31 × 10−8 s, respectively. After the proton treatment, the minority
carrier lifetimes in the Ga InP, Ga As, and InGa As subcells significantly decreased by 1.63 × 10−10 s, 1.56 × 10−1 1 s, and 1.65 × 10−10 s,
respectively. These results indicate that the short-circuit power and open-circuit voltage for each
subcell would decrease over time. Aissat et al, (2021) [27] utilized triple junction
technology composed of InGa P, InGa As, and Ge, which focused
on simulating and enhancing the
electrical and structural properties of highly efficient solar cells. The
result showed that the open-circuit voltage reached 2.3 V and the short-circuit current reached 20 mA/cm2, with a fill
factor of 81.73%
and a conversion efficiency of 39.03, where. the overall performance increased
by 18%. Salem
et al., (2021) [28] employed a Single Large
Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Array Technology Computer-Aided Design (SLVACO TCAD) tool to carry out all the
optimization steps and simulation data for improving the performance of the InGa P/Ga As dual-junction
(DJ) solar cells and enhanced
the performance of the
Dual-Junction (DJ) solar cell using two different top window materials,
AlGa As and AlGa InP. As a result, AlGa InP emerged as the superior material for the top window layer of the InGa P/Ga As DJ cell, providing
a 4% increase in conversion efficiency under one sun of the typical AM1.5G
solar spectrum at 300 K, compared to recent
research. Li et al., (2020) [29] investigated
the effects of proton exposure on Ga InP/Ga As/Ge triple-junction solar panels with varying Ga As
sub-cell emitter thicknesses. The
results showed that proton exposure caused more dama ge to the external quantum efficiency of the Ga As sub-cell compared to the Ga InP sub-cell and the study observed that as the emitter thickness increased after proton irradiation, the
external quantum efficiency of the Ga As sub
-cell initially increased and then decreased. Zhang
et al., (2020) [30] developed a TiO2/Al2O3/MgF2 multilayer anti-reflective (AR) coating
using an Electron Beam Evaporation (EBE) system with 1 MeV electron beam irradiation. to optimize the performance of a Ga InP/Ga As/Ge triple-junction solar
panel. The TiO2/Al2O3/MgF2 multi-layer
AR coating has the potential to improve the triple junction solar cell's resistance
to radiation by enhancing
permeability across a wide range of wavelengths,
particularly in the 750–900 nm region, which was the primary degradation window
for the triple junction solar panels.
Gahouch et al. (2020) [31] utilized duplicated junction solar cells to create a concentrated photovoltaic
(CPV) system that could reduce costs
and improve efficiency. The results indicate
that duplicated junction designs
could enhance the efficiency of III-V solar cells at high levels,
exceeding 1000 suns (under the AM1.5D spectrum of the sun at 300 K), and a cost analysis shows that
these designs could reduce costs at
ultra -high concentrations (UHCs) by over 30%. |
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Methodology | This study employs a computational research
design to optimize the design parameters of high -efficiency triple junction
solar cells consisting of Indium
Gallium Phosphide (InGa P), Gallium Arsenide (Ga As), and Germanium (Ge) layers. |
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Statistics Used in the Study | Material PropertiesConventional
silicon solar cells would gradually
be replaced by high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells on space
solar generators because of the growing
need for power, mass, and
area. To achieve high efficiency by current matching
among the produced current from each sub-cell,
band gap energy should be
rigorously joined. TJ solar cells are made
up of sub-cells, namely Ga
InP, Ga As, and Ge junctions, which are
coupled in series in a manner that is comparable to the traditional one
[32]. A window, a p-n junction, a
Back Surface Field (BSF) layer, and
a buffer layer are the components
that make up the top Ga InP cells, the middle Ga As cells, and the bottom Ge
cells, respectively. For the simulation, they used InGa P, Ga
As, and Ge materials, and their properties are provided in Table 1. The TJ design in a PV is shown in [33–34]. Table 1: Material
properties of these materials
Table
2 shows the values of the material
parameters. An illustration of the equivalent circuit of a TJ solar cell could be seen in Figure 1, which could be found below: Figure 1: Electric circuit representation of a TJ solar cell [35]. The corresponding electrical circuit provides the following equation
(1) for the total current density. (1) |
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Result and Discussion |
The results
of the modelling and
simulation study on InGa P/Ga As/Ge triple
-junction solar cells indicate that optimising design parameters
could significantly enhance performance. Researchers were able to make configurations that were more efficient
than standard designs by changing
the bandgap energies, doping concentrations,
and layer thickness. This optimisation increases the theoretical
maximum efficiency and offers valuable insights for practical manufacturing, highlighting the significance of customised design in progressing solar cell technology towards more efficient
and commercially viable solutions.
Figure 3 shows that a triple-junction solar cell
is composed of three layers of different materials: indium gallium phosphide (InGa P), gallium arsenide (Ga
As), and germanium (Ge). Each layer
functions as a p-n junction, a region of a semiconductor
doped with both p-type and n-type
impurities, creating an electric field that enables the conversion of sunlight
into electricity. The distinct layers absorb different wavelengths of light,
with the InGaP layer capturing the highest-energy photons, the Ga As layer absorbing
middle-energy photons, and the Ge layer taking
in the lowest-energy photons. This layered structure allows the triple-junction solar
cell to convert more sunlight
into electricity compared
to a single-junction solar cell, significantly enhancing
its overall efficiency. Figure 3: InGa P_Ga As_GeTriple Junction solar cell. Figure 4 shows the current density versus voltage (J-V) of a solar cell at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The x-axis labelled "Voltage (V)" and the y-axis labelled "Current Density (A/cm²)," display several solar cell configurations: “MA,” “Ref,” “Si HJ,” and “Tunnel HJ.” The “Ref” cell shows the lowest current density, while the “Tunnel HJ” cell demonstrates higher current density at lower voltages. The tunnel heterojunction design could enhance current density at lower voltages, which could be advantageous for solar cells operating in low-light conditions." Figure 4 :Solar 3J InGaP_GaAs_Ge tandem Model Figure 5(a) shows the labelled "External Quantum Efficiency (%)" on the y-axis and "Wavelength (nm)" on the x-axis. It displays the performance of three materials: Indium Gallium Phosphide (InGa P), Gallium Arsenide (Ga As), and Germanium (Ge). Each material has a corresponding line on the graph, with InGa P being the highest, indicating it has the highest external quantum efficiency, converting the most absorbed photons into electricity. Ga As is in the middle, while Ge is the lowest, showing it has the least conversion efficiency. The x -axis spans from 200 to 1800 nanometers, covering a substantial part of the solar spectrum, and the y -axis ranges from 0 to 100%, representing the efficiency of photon-to-electricity conversion for each material. Figure 5(b) shows
the graph plotting "External Quantum Efficiency (%)" on the
y-axis against "Wavelength
(nm)" on the x-axis. The graph depicts
various solar cells,
including AM 1.5, 3J solar cells, InGa P, Ga As, and Ge.
AM 1.5 represents a standard solar spectrum, while the 3J solar cell likely denotes a triple-junction solar cell, known for the highest light absorption efficiency due to its multiple layers by wavelength (200 nm to 1800 nm). InGaP shows peak efficiency around 500 nm, indicating its proficiency with shorter wavelengths, whereas Ga As perform best around 800 nm, similar to AM 1.5. Ge exhibits lower overall efficiency, with a peak at 1100 nm, demonstrating its specialisation in longer wavelength conversion. These insights highlight how different materia ls and multi-junction designs impact solar cell efficiency across varying light wavelengths.
(a) (a) Figure 5(a): EQE vs wavelength(nm) without 3j solar cell and (b): EQE vs wavelength(nm) with 3j solar cell Figure 6 shows the x-axis labelled "Energy (EF)," where EF denotes the Fermi
energy, the energy level at which fermions
have a 50% probability of occupation.
The y-axis is labelled "probability," indicating the
likelihood of fermions occupying an energy
state. Multiple curves represent different temperatures (e.g., T1, T2, T3),
with higher temperatures showing a broader spread in probability distribution around
the Fermi energy. These curves have a unique S-shaped shape that shows how temperature changes the chances of fermions occupying different energy levels compared to the Fermi level.
Figure 6: Fermi distribution Figure 7 shows plots of intrinsic carrier density against temperature (K),
with Germanium (Ge), Gallium Arsenide (Ga As),
and Indium Gallium Phosphide
(InGa P) represented. All materials
show a corresponding increase in electrical conductivity as temperature increases
along the x-axis. Indium Gallium Phosphide
(InGa P) consistently exhibits the
highest conductivity across the
temperature range, followed by Gallium Arsenide (Ga As),
and then Germanium (Ge), which displays
the lowest conductivity. The data indicates that conductivity increases
at an accelerating rate with rising temperatures.
Figure 7: Intrinsic carrier density (electrons per cubic cm) Figure 8 shows an I-V curve representation of the relationship between the electrical current (I) flowing through a solar cell and the voltage (V). The four numbers along the curve, 0.0025, 0.0075, 0.0125, and 0.025, likely represent different power outputs of the solar cell. The “P = 52.4567 mW/cm²,” indicates that the units for these numbers are milliwatts per square centimetre (mW/cm²). This is a power density unit, which is the amount of power produced per unit area. So, the numbers along the curve likely represent the solar cell's power density at different points on the I-V curve. As the voltage applied to the solar cell increases, so does the cell's current. The curve reaches a maximum point, which is known as the point of maximum power (Pm). After this point, the TJ solar cell shows that the current starts to decrease as the voltage continues to increase.
Figure 8: I-V plot
Figure 9 (a) shows the x-axis is labelled “Temperature (K)” and its values range from 300.00k to 400.00 Kelvin. The y-axis is labelled “J (mA/cm²)” and its values range from 19.25 to 21.00. The red line seems to show values that are consistently higher than the green line. There are markings along the x-axis at 300 K, 325 K, 350 K, and 375 K. The curve increases slightly as the temperature increases. Figure 9 (b) displays the labels "Temperature (K)" on the x-axis and "Voltage (V)" on the y-axis. The increase is not linear. The voltage starts to level off at around 350 Kelvin and starts to decrease slightly between 375 Kelvin and 400 Kelvin. The figure displays "2.9V" and "2.8V" as the maximum voltages.
(a) (b) Figure 9(a) |
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Conclusion |
The development of high-efficiency triple-junction solar cells using InGa P/Ga As/Ge materials represents a significant advancement in photovoltaic technology.
These cells can capture a wider spectrum of sunlight, leading to improved efficiency. The study
emphasizes the influence of various factors on solar cell performance, affecting their electrical output and overall efficiency. For example,
as the temperature increases up to 300 K, parameters such as Voc (V), Jsc (mA/cm²), Vmax (V), Jmax (mA/cm²), Pmax (m W/cm²), Fill Factor (%), and Efficiency (%) exhibit substantial increases, indicating their
sensitivity to thermal conditions.
This research marks a major milestone in solar
energy technology, offering the potential for enhanced efficiency and
sustainability. By optimizing these factors,
the study paves the way for ongoing innovation in photovoltaics to meet the growing global demand for energy through more
efficient solar power solutions. This
research significantly advances solar energy solutions by fostering ongoing innovation in photovoltaics. By optimizing design
parameters, it enhances the efficiency and sustainability of solar cells, making
solar energy a more viable and widespread op tion for renewable energy. This contributes to a more sustainable energy landscape. The future scope of this research could further explore
optimizing these parameters to minimize efficiency losses at higher temperatures
and improve overall performance.
This could involve developing new materials and structures
to better manage thermal effects and
enhance durability. Additionally, integrating these adva nced solar cells into practical
applications and scalable
production processes would be crucial
for widespread adoption. Continued advancements in this field have the potential to significantly contribute to a more sustainable
energy landscape, reducing
reliance on fossil fuels and supporting global energy needs with renewable resources. |
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References |
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