In a context where access to electricity is a key issue to improve the satisfaction of the basic needs of populations, such as health, education, communication, etc., the need to find available, abundant energy production sources of energy is more than an obligation. This is why researchers in the field of renewable energies in general and in particular of photovoltaic solar energy (PV) investigate on different materials to considerably improve the stability and the conversion yield of PV solar cells. Therefore, in addition to the numerical simulation, we analytically simulate our photovoltaic (PV) solar cell model based on assumptions that simplify the basic equations. Thus, we simulate the opto-electrical parameters that we compare with those obtained from the numerical simulation. Our investigations show that the open-circuit voltage (VOC) and the fill factor (FF) as a function of the thickness of the CIGS absorber simultaneous increase. Concerning the gap, we note an increase in FF for 1 < Eg < 1.3 eV and a decrease for Eg > 1.3 eV and VOC increases. The study carried out using alternative buffer layers shows good performances which are close to those of the standard buffer layer (CdS) and highlights the possibility of substituting the CdS buffer layer. The major advantage of these diapers comes from the fact that they are also non-toxic, the main raw material zinc is abundant and cheap. As for the space charge region (SCR), the study also shows good agreement between the numerical models and analytical models based on Equations (1) and (2). However, the analytical model presents a strategic issue which will allow us to further optimize the stability and opto-electrical performance of the CIGS-based solar cell using variables not accessible with the simulation software.
References
[1]
Issiaka, S., Ouédraogo, S., Oubda, D., Traoré, B., Kébré, M.B., Zongo, A., et al. (2023) Bulk and Interface Configuration on the Performances of Perovskite Solar Cells. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 20, 39-47. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2023.39.47
[2]
Sawadogo, P. (2025) Modeling and Numerical Simulation of a Tandem Solar Cell (2T) of the Perovskite/CZTS Type for Photovoltaic Applications. Master’s Thesis, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University.
[3]
Barry, H. (2025) Influence of the Hole Transport Layer on the Performance of Perovskite-Based Photovoltaic Solar Cells. Master’s Thesis, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University.
[4]
Mohamed, E.A. and Walid, A. (2020) Simulation and Optimization of a Solar Cell Based on Hybrid Perovskite Materials (CH3NH3PbI3-XClX). Master’s Thesis, University Saad Dahlab de Blida.
[5]
Sawadogo, B. (2025) Analysis of the Influence of the Absorber Layer and Temperature on Amorphous Silicon-Based PV Solar Cell. Master’s Thesis, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University.
[6]
(2023) CIGS Layer Solar Panels: A Detailed Guide + the State of the Market. https://fr.solarbuy.com
[7]
Hultqvist, A., Platzer-Björkman, C., Coronel, E. and Edoff, M. (2011) Experimental Investigation of Cu(In1−x,Gax)Se2/Zn(O1−z,Sz) Solar Cell Performance. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 95, 497-503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2010.09.009
[8]
Ramanathan, K.H., Wiesner, S., Asher, D., Niles, R., Bhattacharya, N., Contreras, M.A. and Noufi, R. (1998) High-Efficiency Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin Film Solar Cells With-out Intermediate Buffer Layers. 2nd World Conference and Exhibition on Photovoltaic Solar Energy, Vienna, 6-10 July 1998, 477-481.
[9]
Chelvanathan, P., Hossain, M.I. and Amin, N. (2010) Performance Analysis of Copper-Indium-Gallium-Diselenide (CIGS) Solar Cells with Various Buffer Layers by SCAPS. Current Applied Physics, 10, S387-S391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cap.2010.02.018
[10]
Yan, X. (2014) Fabrication and Characterization of CuInGaSe2 Films by Sputtering Study of Defects by Charge-Based Deep Trap Spectroscopy. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Nantes.
[11]
Charlotte, P.B. (2006) Band Alignment Between ZnO-Based and Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin Film for High Efficiency Solar Cells. Ph.D. Thesis, Uppsala University.
[12]
Oubda, D. (2018) Characterisation of Thin Film Solar Cell as Function of Buffer Layer Nature. Master’s Thesis, University of Joseph KI-ZERBO.
[13]
Oubda, D., Kébré, M.B., Ouédraogo, S., Diasso, A., Zougmoré, F., Koalga, Z., et al. (2022) High Performance for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Quaternary System-Based Solar Cells with Alternative Buffer Layers. Advances in Materials Physics and Chemistry, 12, 207-219. https://doi.org/10.4236/ampc.2022.129015
[14]
Eisele, W., Ennaoui, A., Schubertbischoff, P., Giersig, M., Pettenkofer, C., Krauser, J., et al. (2003) XPS, TEM and NRA Investigations of Zn(Se,OH)/Zn(OH) Films on Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) Substrates for Highly Efficient Solar Cells. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 75, 17-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0927-0248(02)00104-6
[15]
Sterner, J. (2004) ALD Buffer Layer Growth and Interface Formation on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cell Absorbers. Ph.D. Thesis, Uppsala University.
[16]
Pettersson, J. (2012) Modelling Band Gap Gradiens and Cd-Free Buffer Layers in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells. Ph.D. Thesis, Uppsalat University.
[17]
Siebentritt, S. (2004) Alternative Buffers for Chalcopyrite Solar Cells. Solar Energy, 77, 767-775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2004.06.018
[18]
Oubda, D., Kebre, M.B., Zougmoré, F., Njomo, D. and Ouattara, F. (2015) Numerical Simulation of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells Performances. Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 9, 1047-1050. https://doi.org/10.17265/1934-8975/2015.12.002
[19]
Zongo, A., Oubda, D., Ouédraogo, S., Kébré, M.B., Diasso, A., Sankara, I., et al. (2021) Optimization of Mo/Cu(In,Ga)Se2/CdS/ZNO Hetero-Junction Solar Cell Performance by Numerical Simulation with SCAPS-1D. Journal of Materials Science and Engineering B, 11, 156-167. https://doi.org/10.17265/2161-6221/2021.10-12.004
[20]
Oubda, D., Kebre, M. B., Ouédraogo, S., Zougmoré, F., Ouattara, F. and Koalga, Z. (2018) Numerical Characterization of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells Using Capacitance-Voltage and Capacitance-Frequency Characteristics. International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies (IJPSAT), 6, 262-267.
[21]
Niemegeers, A. and Burgelman, M. (1997) Effects of the Au/CdTe Back Contact on IV and CV Characteristics of Au/CdTe/CdS/TCO Solar Cells. Journal of Applied Physics, 81, 2881-2886. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.363946
[22]
Burgelman, M., Nollet, P. and Degrave, S. (2000) Modelling Polycrystalline Semiconductor Solar Cells. Thin Solid Films, 361, 527-532. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0040-6090(99)00825-1
[23]
Yiming, L., Yun, S. and Angus, R. (2011) A New Simulation Software of Solar Cells—wxAMPS. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 98, 124-128.
[24]
Oubda, D. (2012) Influence of CdS Buffer Layer Thickness and Temperature on the Properties of a CIGS-Based Solar Cell. Master’s Thesis, University of Ouagadougou.
[25]
Hultqvist, A. (2010) Cadmium Free Buffer Layer and the Influence of their Material Properties on the Performance of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 Solar Cells. Ph.D. Thesis, Uppsala Universitet.
[26]
Ouédraogo, S. (2016) Numerical Modeling of a CIGS-Based Thin-Film Solar Cell. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ouagadougou.