In this paper, we propose a new n-ZnO/p-Si hetero-junction solar cell design based on both interface engineering and metallic nanoparticles aspects. The merits of using both metallic nanoparticles and grooves morphology in the ZnO/p-Si interface to improve solar cell optical performance are investigated numerically using accurate solutions of Maxwell’s equations. It is found that the proposed structure suggests the possibility to achieve the dual role of improved light-scattering in the Si absorber layer as well as enhancing the absorption in the ZnO thin-film through the Surface Plasmon Resonance effect. Besides, the proposed design exhibits superior optical performance and offers improved total absorbance efficiency (TAE) as compared to the conventional counterpart. Moreover, particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based approach is exploited for the geometrical optimization of the proposed design to achieve higher light trapping capability. It is found that the optimized design yields 50% of relative improvement in the ZnO/p-Si-based solar cell TAE which confirms excellent capability of the proposed design approach for modulating the electric field behavior inside the solar cell structure. The obtained results indicate that the optimized n-ZnO/p-Si hetero-junction solar cell offer the potential for high conversion efficiency at low costs which make it valuable for photovoltaic application.

In this paper, we propose a new n-ZnO/p-Si hetero-junction solar cell design based on both interface engineering and metallic nanoparticles aspects. The merits of using both metallic nanoparticles and grooves morphology in the ZnO/p-Si interface to improve solar cell optical performance are investigated numerically using accurate solutions of Maxwell’s equations. It is found that the proposed structure suggests the possibility to achieve the dual role of improved light-scattering in the Si absorber layer as well as enhancing the absorption in the ZnO thin-film through the Surface Plasmon Resonance effect. Besides, the proposed design exhibits superior optical performance and offers improved total absorbance efficiency (TAE) as compared to the conventional counterpart. Moreover, particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based approach is exploited for the geometrical optimization of the proposed design to achieve higher light trapping capability. It is found that the optimized design yields 50% of relative improvement in the ZnO/p-Si-based solar cell TAE which confirms excellent capability of the proposed design approach for modulating the electric field behavior inside the solar cell structure. The obtained results indicate that the optimized n-ZnO/p-Si hetero-junction solar cell offer the potential for high conversion efficiency at low costs which make it valuable for photovoltaic application.

In this paper, we propose a new n-ZnO/p-Si hetero-junction solar cell design based on both interface engineering and metallic nanoparticles aspects. The merits of using both metallic nanoparticles and grooves morphology in the ZnO/p-Si interface to improve solar cell optical performance are investigated numerically using accurate solutions of Maxwell’s equations. It is found that the proposed structure suggests the possibility to achieve the dual role of improved light-scattering in the Si absorber layer as well as enhancing the absorption in the ZnO thin-film through the Surface Plasmon Resonance effect. Besides, the proposed design exhibits superior optical performance and offers improved total absorbance efficiency (TAE) as compared to the conventional counterpart. Moreover, particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based approach is exploited for the geometrical optimization of the proposed design to achieve higher light trapping capability. It is found that the optimized design yields 50% of relative improvement in the ZnO/p-Si-based solar cell TAE which confirms excellent capability of the proposed design approach for modulating the electric field behavior inside the solar cell structure. The obtained results indicate that the optimized n-ZnO/p-Si hetero-junction solar cell offer the potential for high conversion efficiency at low costs which make it valuable for photovoltaic application.

This paper proposes a new method based on a genetic algorithm (GA) approach to optimize the electrical parameters such as height barrier, ideality factor, fill factor, open-circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency, in order to improve the electrical performance of Schottky solar cells in an over wide range of temperature. Thus the parameters research process called objective function is used to find the optimal electrical parameters providing greater conversion efficiency. The proposed model results are also compared to experimental and analytical I-V data, where a good agreement has been found between them. Therefore, this approach may provide a theoretical basis and physical insights for Schottky solar cells.

This paper proposes a new method based on a genetic algorithm (GA) approach to optimize the electrical parameters such as height barrier, ideality factor, fill factor, open-circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency, in order to improve the electrical performance of Schottky solar cells in an over wide range of temperature. Thus the parameters research process called objective function is used to find the optimal electrical parameters providing greater conversion efficiency. The proposed model results are also compared to experimental and analytical I-V data, where a good agreement has been found between them. Therefore, this approach may provide a theoretical basis and physical insights for Schottky solar cells.

A complete parametric study of stacked rectangular microstrip patches printed on non-magnetic isotropic substrate is performed. The numerical results are obtained by applying the method of moments to the electric field integral equations. Detailed closed-form expressions of Green’s functions are presented. The new results found indicate that, the lower resonant frequency is mainly determined by the patch etched on the thicker layer. The layer having the higher permittivity defines which resonance is mainly determined by the bottom patch, either the upper resonance if the upper layer has the higher permittivity, or the lower resonance in opposite case. All these results offer better understanding and thus a better control of the dual-band operating of the microstrip antenna. Therefore, a proper choice of the antenna parameters becomes possible in order to obtain the desired functional characteristics.

A complete parametric study of stacked rectangular microstrip patches printed on non-magnetic isotropic substrate is performed. The numerical results are obtained by applying the method of moments to the electric field integral equations. Detailed closed-form expressions of Green’s functions are presented. The new results found indicate that, the lower resonant frequency is mainly determined by the patch etched on the thicker layer. The layer having the higher permittivity defines which resonance is mainly determined by the bottom patch, either the upper resonance if the upper layer has the higher permittivity, or the lower resonance in opposite case. All these results offer better understanding and thus a better control of the dual-band operating of the microstrip antenna. Therefore, a proper choice of the antenna parameters becomes possible in order to obtain the desired functional characteristics.

A complete parametric study of stacked rectangular microstrip patches printed on non-magnetic isotropic substrate is performed. The numerical results are obtained by applying the method of moments to the electric field integral equations. Detailed closed-form expressions of Green’s functions are presented. The new results found indicate that, the lower resonant frequency is mainly determined by the patch etched on the thicker layer. The layer having the higher permittivity defines which resonance is mainly determined by the bottom patch, either the upper resonance if the upper layer has the higher permittivity, or the lower resonance in opposite case. All these results offer better understanding and thus a better control of the dual-band operating of the microstrip antenna. Therefore, a proper choice of the antenna parameters becomes possible in order to obtain the desired functional characteristics.

A complete parametric study of stacked rectangular microstrip patches printed on non-magnetic isotropic substrate is performed. The numerical results are obtained by applying the method of moments to the electric field integral equations. Detailed closed-form expressions of Green’s functions are presented. The new results found indicate that, the lower resonant frequency is mainly determined by the patch etched on the thicker layer. The layer having the higher permittivity defines which resonance is mainly determined by the bottom patch, either the upper resonance if the upper layer has the higher permittivity, or the lower resonance in opposite case. All these results offer better understanding and thus a better control of the dual-band operating of the microstrip antenna. Therefore, a proper choice of the antenna parameters becomes possible in order to obtain the desired functional characteristics.