Abstract
A methodology for the geometrical and physical optimization of a photovoltaic cell is proposed, which makes use of a detailed distributed model for the device simulation and a genetic algorithm. For the numerical simulation of the device, a TCAD simulator is used, appropriately interfaced with the genetic algorithm. Since the parameters to be optimized are geometrical, each simulation requires a different mesh grid, which is automatically set within the genetic algorithm optimization cycle. The evaluation of the fitness function requires the post-processing of the output of the device simulation, which is performed by another external software, also interfaced with the genetic algorithm. The feasibility of this methodology is assessed on a homogeneous emitter solar cell, with some relevant free parameters, related to the number of fingers in a cell and to the doping profile of the emitter. The parameters which maximize the efficiency of the cell are determined by using the proposed procedure.
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Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank R. De Rose and P. Magnone of ARCES (University of Bologna) for their support and help. The second author acknowledges financial support from MaTeRiA PON a3_00370.
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Alì, G., Butera, F. & Rotundo, N. Geometrical and physical optimization of a photovoltaic cell by means of a genetic algorithm. J Comput Electron 13, 323–328 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10825-013-0533-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10825-013-0533-0