Modeling of High Efficiency CdTe Solar Cells with MgZnO as Window Layer by Using SCAPS-1D Simulation Approach

Abstract In the last few decades, CdTe-based thin-film solar cells have made significant advancements, primarily because of their higher efficiency, improved performance stability, and cost-effectiveness. However, conventional champion CdS/CdTe solar cells face significant challenges with the traditional CdS window layer. In order to enhance the short wavelength light collection and eliminate/minimize the usage of toxic Cd based material in window layer applications, it is required to substitute the CdS layer with apt material like MgxZn1–xO (MZO) ternary alloy layer with appropriate thickness. The present simulation work meticulously provides the approach to achieve higher efficiency of CdTe based solar cell devices by optimization of properties of MZO window layer by using SCAPS 1D simulation and employing experimental data available in literature. The impact of thickness of window layers, donor density and defect density of MZO layer on the performance parameters of CdTe based solar cell devices is explored. The MZO/CdTe hetero-junction solar cell devices have achieved higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) as compared to the CdS/CdTe hetero-junction solar cell devices. Rigorous simulation analysis reveals that optimum performance viz. Voc of 991 mV, Jsc of 23.25 mA/cm2, FF of 67.03%, and η of 15.45% were achieved when thickness of MZO window layer was used as 50 nm. Present investigation provided a roadmap towards achievement of high efficiency in CdTe based solar cell via usage of innovative and environmentally friendly window layer material.