Design and Simulation Modelling of High Efficiency CZTS CZTSe and Perovskite Solar Cells for Energy Harvesting

Abstract

Solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity, are increasingly important in today s world as we strive for sustainable energy solutions. With the growing demand for clean energy, solar cells offer a reliable, renewable, and environmentally friendly power source. They play a crucial role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels, lowering carbon emissions, and combating climate change. Advances in solar technology, including improved efficiency and costeffectiveness, have made solar cells more accessible, driving their widespread adoption in homes, businesses, and large-scale power plants. In our current era, solar cells are vital for a greener, more sustainable future. Copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) thin-film solar cells have garnered significant attention in recent years as a promising alternative to conventional silicon-based solar cells. CZTS is a quaternary compound semiconductor composed of earth-abundant and non-toxic elements, making it an environmentally friendly and cost-effective choice for photovoltaic applications. The material possesses a direct band gap of approximately 1.4-1.5 eV and a high absorption coefficient, making it well-suited for thin-film solar cells. In this thesis, we have proposed multiple structures of the solar cells based on CZTS, CZTSe, and perovskite material. These structures are based on the requirements of the solar cell for different purposes from rooftop use to micro and nano-level. A wider possibility of the solar cell has been studied. These structures include thin film, ultra-thin film, hybrid, and nano-wire solar cells. Firstly, a literature study has been done on the second generation CZTS and CZTSe materials, to its prospect and future possibility to be considered as a solar cell in the current market. In the later part, the designs are discussed and simulated in SILVACO TCAD, which is an industry-level software. All the possible performance parameters and its trends under different optimization stages have been simulated.