STUDY AND OPTIMIZATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF A VERTICAL-JUNCTION SILICON SOLAR CELL IN SERIES UNDER A MAGNETIC FIELD IN STEADY STATE

This article presents a theoretical study of a vertical-junction silicon solar cell in steady state under polychromatic illumination and subjected to an external magnetic field. After solving the magnetotransport equation for minority charge carriers in the base using the boundary conditions applied at the junctions and in the rear region, the expressions for the photovoltage, electrical power, and conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic cell are determined as functions of the magnetic field and the optimal thickness of the base. The current-voltage and power-voltage characteristics are studied for several values of the applied magnetic field. Finally, the photovoltaic cell’s efficiency is studied as a function of the optimal base thickness obtained based on the applied magnetic field. This study shows a linear correlation between these two parameters.