Theoretical Study of Quantum Efficiency and Spectral Response of Solar Cells

Abstract

A theoretical study of Quantum Efficiency (QE) and Spectral Response (SR) of solar cells was done in order to suggest ways in which related parameters could be optimized for maximum conversion efficiency of solar cells. Secondary data for the base, emitter and total parameters of QE and SR were obtained. MATLAB was employed in plotting and analysing these data across different diffusion lengths. From the results obtained, it was observed that when the value of the Emitter Diffusion Length (EDL) was varied from 0.3µm to 0.5µm, the emitter and total values of QE increased by about 700% at wavelength 300nm – 400nm. In the case of SR, it was observed that when there was an increase in the Base Diffusion Length (BDL) from 20µm to 50µm, there was an increase of about 26% at wavelength 800nm – 900nm. A rise in the diffusion length was seen to increase both the QE and SR of the cell. Thus, it can be suggested that an increase in the emitter and base diffusion length of a solar cell leads to a decrease in the recombination charges in the cell, giving more time for the charge carriers to exit the cell.