Analysis and optimisation of microcrystalline silicon solar cells with periodic sinusoidal textured interfaces by two-dimensional optical simulations

Two-dimensional optical model for simulation of thin-film solar cells with periodical textured interfaces is presented. The model is based on finite element method and uses triangular discrete elements for the structure description. The advantages of the model in comparison to other existing models are highlighted. After validation and verification of the developed simulator, simulations of a microcrystalline silicon solar cell with a sinusoidal grating texture applied to the interfaces are carried out. The analysis and optimization of the two grating parameters—period and height of the grooves—are performed with respect to the maximal short-circuit current density of the cell. Up to 45% increase in the current density is identified for the optimized structure, compared to that of the cell with flat interfaces. Optical losses in the periodically textured silver back reflector are determined.