Investigating the Effect of Nonideal Conditions on the Performance of a Planar Sb2Se3-Based Solar Cell through SCAPS-1D Simulation

For many years, scientists have wrestled with the disparity between solar cell modeling and real results. Especially, simplified assumptions fabricated by simulation programers can be the best normal reason for this report. However, by using certain nonideal conditions, the simulated solar cell may mimic real conditions in some modeling programs. Using the SCAPS-1D (SCAPS = Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator) program, we endeavored to simulate the representative FTO/TiO2/Sb2Se3/ spiro-OMeTAD/Au antimony chalcogenide solar cell (spiro-OMeTAD = 2,2 ',7,7 '-tetrakis-[N,N-di-(p-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9,9 '-spirobifluorene) while accounting for resistance pathways and recombination processes (radiative and Auger). To achieve this, the power of each nonideal condition was prosperously studied. The proficiency results of the investigated solar cell revealed a remarkable variation between the device's efficiency before and after applying these conditions, ranging from 25% to more than 8.40%. Significant reduction in the efficiency can be attributed to the radiative recombination of the solar cell (active layer). In order to maximize each critical characteristic of the active layers, the influence of the previously ascribed parameters, comprising the doping density and inclusive thickness, was studied with regard to efficiency and integration plots. During the simulation phase, this investigation was novel in that it approximated the outcomes of the aforementioned experimental investigations under nonideal circumstances. Furthermore, employing recombination plots considerably assisted in selecting the appropriate layer characteristic, such as doping density. After adjusting each of the aforementioned settings, the efficiency increased by approximately 4% and a power conversion efficiency of approximately 29% was accomplished. Overall, the results revealed that despite a remarkable drop in cell execution, the simulated cell was more representative of actual conditions and provided a more accurate model for a solar cell.