Simulation and computer aided design of silicon solar cells for process and performance parameters optimization

Abstract

We have developed a novel software package which is able to simulate the performance parameters of the solar cells based on diffusion process parameters as well as finger-bus design parameters. An algorithm for computer aided design (CAD) incorporated in this software package is useful for designing and optimizing the finger-bus dimension for optimum solar energy harvesting. The CAD algorithm of this software package can save the optimized finger-bus design in a .dxf format which can then be directly used as layout for mask making of the metallization layers using screen printing, CMOS based lithography or e-beam writer. The .dxf format file generated by our software package can also be viewed using other CAD softwares such as AutoCAD, L-Edit, etc. This software package also simulate the sheet resistivity of the doped poly-silicon layer based on the process parameters — POCl3 diffusion temperature, duration of POCl3 diffusion reaction, annealing temperature and annealing duration. This research paper presents the new algorithm incorporated in the novel software as discussed above as well as the optimization of the process parameters and finger-bus design.