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Role of Urbach energy in controlling voltage output of solar cells

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Abstract

The Urbach energy (EU) strongly influences voltage output and efficiency, which is observed upon close analysis of performance limiting factors in various thin film solar cell systems. We simulated the one-to-one correlation between the sub-bandgap defect position and the magnitude of Urbach energy. The higher the extent of the band tail into the forbidden gap higher the Urbach energy. The simulation results show that the Urbach energy increases and efficiency decreases with increasing sub-bandgap defect energy levels. The magnitude of the EU depends upon the extent of impurities and defects in material systems, limits the achievable VOC in the device and increases the VOC deficit. The capacitance of the p–n junction diode of thin film solar cells falls for high EU > kT. The magnitude of EU larger than thermal energy kT (EU > kT) have significant and observable deviation on the device's efficiency. This result shows the applicability of the EU in selecting the new system for photovoltaic applications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of ECE, R. M. K. Engineering College, Chennai, India

    T. D. Subha

  2. Department of ECE, Saveetha School of Engineering SIMATS, Chennai, India

    R. Thandaiah Prabu

  3. Department of ECE, Karpaga Vinayaga College of Engineering and Technology, Chennai, India

    S. Parasuraman

  4. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Greenfields, Vaddeswaram, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, 522502, India

    Atul Kumar

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  1. T. D. Subha
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  2. R. Thandaiah Prabu
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  3. S. Parasuraman
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  4. Atul Kumar
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TD, TR & SP performed simulations, and AK conceptualized and prepared the final draft.

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Correspondence to Atul Kumar.

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Subha, T.D., Prabu, R.T., Parasuraman, S. et al. Role of Urbach energy in controlling voltage output of solar cells. Opt Quant Electron 55, 794 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-023-05067-2

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