Meteorological effects on Schottky-barrier solar cells

Abstract

The effect of different meteorological conditions on Schottky-barrier solar-cell outputs has been investigated, using a model for an n-type solar cell. Similar results to those for p-n junction cells have been obtained, namely that although the output power density is reduced, a much higher conversion efficiency is possible when the solar cell is illuminated with diffuse radiation. The effect of the density of interfacial states, and the metal work function, upon the J/V characteristics and on the conversion efficiency is shown to be an important feature of Schottky-barrier solar cells.