Optimized Single and Double Layer Antireflection Coatings for GaAs Solar Cells

Abstract

In this paper, the effects of antireflection coatings on the performance of GaAs solar cells are investigated. Also, the conversion efficiency, short circuit current and open circuit voltage of the solar cell are calculated in various thicknesses and refractive indices of coating materials. Single and double layer coatings are utilized in order to achieve the highest performance. Simulation results show an optimum point for the thickness and refractive indices of the materials used as single and double layer antireflection coatings. Finally, 16.97% conversion efficiency, 27.91mA short circuit current and about 0.944V open circuit voltage are achieved for GaAs single cell with a low 5nm TiO2 thickness in Al2O3/TiO2 double layer coating. But the lower thickness of TiO2 increases the incident angle dependency of the reflectance.

Keywords

• Anti-Reflection Coating; Reflectance; External Quantum Efficiency; Solar Cell

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