Tutorial 1

1.

The absorption depth is a useful parameter which gives the distance into the
material at which the light drops to about 36% of its original intensity. It can
be correlated with absorption coefficient by : tabs = 1/. If GaAs at =825nm is
104/cm and Si at =1000nm is 90/cm, calculate the absorption depths of GaAs
and Si at the given light wavelength. Explain how your result affects the
design of Si and GaAs solar cells.

2.

The electrical performance of a Silicon p/n junction solar cell with a dimension
of 10x10cm is measured under AM1.5 solar simulator with a power density of
1000W/m2 at room temperature. The IV characteristics
is shown
in the
a. Identify the
important
followingI figure.
(A)

0.5

0.65 V (V)

parameters of the IV curve.

b. Explain the significance of
Isc and Voc
c. Calculate the Fill Factor and
PCE of this solar cell

- 3.2
-3.5
3. A Silicon solar cell 2cmX2cm with Io = 32nA has an optical generation rate of 1018/cm3.s
within Lp=Ln=2m of the junction. If the depletion width is 1m, calculate the short circuit
current and the open circuit voltage for this cell.

Tutorial 1 Question 4
A schematic of a simple Silicon solar cell is given in Fig Q1a. Answer the
following by completing Table Q1.
a. Identify the dominant recombination mechanism occurring at A,B,C, D
b. Suggest a method to minimize each recombination mechanisms identified
above
c. Identify which device parameters (i.e. Isc, Voc, or FF) will be improved
after implementing the improvement method in Q4b.

Extra Question
A 5-room HDB household on average uses 600kWH/month of
electricity and pays $150 for utility bill. If this family is to install
solar panels as their source of electricity, calculate:
1. What is the solar panel area required to completely supply
electricity to this household
2. From the table below, which solar panel would be most
economical for this family?
3. How long does it take for them to break-even?
Solar Cell type

Supplier

price
(US$)

crystaline Si

Suntech

512.2

665.86

1.28

175

REC

565

734.5

1.67

230

Yingli Solar

565

734.5

1.63

230

Mitsubishi

415

539.5

1.01

125

GE

370

481

1.46

200

polycrystalline Si

price
(SGD)

area
(m2)

Power
(Watt)

Tutorial 2
1.

You are tasked to improve the efficiency of a Silicon solar cell by

engineering the thickness and doping concentration of the p/n
junction. Explain your strategy and sketch the effect on the IV
curve.

2.

In amorphous-Si solar cell, explain why P-i-n structure is used

3.

Explain why CdS is located on top of CdTe. Can we reverse the

design with CdTe/CdS? Explain your choice.

4.

A CIGS solar cell is fabricated by vacuum deposition method.

a. Draw a schematic of the CIGS solar cell device. Properly label
each layer.
b. Based
on the device
architecture
Q4a,
identify
which
Photon-to-electron
conversion
Layer (s) in
and/or
Interface(s)
where
this layer(s)
mechanism are responsiblephenomenon
is happening photon-to-electron
or interface(s)
for the following
a
Light Absorption
conversion
mechanism:
.
b
.
c
.
d
.

Charge Separation
Charge Transport
Charge Collection

Tutorial 3
1. Compare the photovoltaic mechanisms in inorganic vs organic PV in terms of: carrier
generation, separation, and transport. Which is the main difference of these 2 types of PV
devices?
2. Discuss why BHJ is more efficient than bilayer OPV device.
3.
Two new Donor materials were synthesized and mixed with PCBM to form BHJ solar
cell. Some of the Donor characteristics and experimental device parameters are
given in the table below.
1.
Find the maximum theoretical PCE of each of these polymers from the prediction
curve below.
2.
Assuming a Fill Factor of 0.7 and incident Power of 10W, calculate the ideal Isc for
these 2 polymer/PCBM blend.
3.
The experimental Isc and Voc is lower than the predicted Voc. Suggest methods
to improve the efficiency.
Parameters

4.

Donor A

Donor B

Bandgap (eV)

1.5

1.8

Lumo

-3.7

-3.9

Homo

-5.2

-5.7

Isc (A)

-1.2

-0.9

Voc (V)

0.5

0.7

You are tasked to construct a series tandem cell based on the 2 new polymers above.
Calculate the theoretical tandem cell Isc, Voc assuming you can obtain the Isc and
Voc of the individual cells.