Comparative simulation study of CdS/CIGS and CdS/CZTS solar cells

Abstract

This work represents a comparative study using Silvaco-Atlas numerical simulation software to analyze the IV photovoltaic characteristics of two thin-film solar cells, ZnO/CdS/CIGS/MO and ZnO/CdS/CZTS/MO. The study aims to find the optimal thickness and doping concentrations for the CdS, CIGS, and CZTS layers to maximize the efficiency of CdS/CIGS and CdS/CZTS solar cells and compare their performance. The research is motivated by the need to explore and optimize solar energy solutions to better meet energy demands. By using Silvaco-Atlas simulations, the study determines the best parameters for these solar cell configurations. The optimal IV parameters for CdS/CIGS were found to have a higher short-circuit current density and overall efficiency, with specific thicknesses and doping concentrations for the CdS and CIGS layers. For CdS/CZTS, the best IVparameters showed a higher open-circuit voltage and fill factor, with certain thicknesses and doping concentrations for the CdS and CZTS layers. In comparison, CdS/CIGS solar cells exhibited higher short-circuit current density and efficiency, while CdS/CZTS solar cells demonstrated higher open-circuit voltage and fill factor. This indicates that while CdS/CIGS cells are more efficient overall, CdS/CZTS cells have potential advantages in specific performance metrics such as open-circuit voltage and fill factor.