Numerical analysis of aluminum nanoparticle influence on the characteristics of a thin-film solar cell

Abstract

The influence of parameters of an aluminum nanoparticle layer on the characteristics of a thin-film amorphous silicon solar cell has been studied using computer simulation methods. A design with a regular arrangement of nanoparticles both on the front and back sides of the solar cell has been considered. The distribution of photogeneration rate in the amorphous silicon layer has been obtained for different values of the nanoparticle radius. The effects of nanoparticle radius and nanoparticle spacing on the electrical characteristics of a solar cell have been analyzed. It has been shown that, with optimal nanoparticle parameters, the efficiency of solar cells can be significantly increased.