Unlocking high-efficiency solar energy: optimizing P3HT/Si hybrid solar cells through numerical simulation

Abstract This study numerically investigates the optimization of P3HT/Si hybrid solar cells for maximum efficiency via numerical simulation using SCAPS ID. The analysis identifies P3HT layer thickness and Si donor density as critical parameters, with optimal values of 20 nm and 10 17 cm −3 , respectively. Exceeding these values leads to decreased efficiency due to reduced hole mobility, increased recombination, and enhanced absorption loss. Furthermore, minimizing defect density in Si is crucial for achieving high efficiency. The optical properties of the P3HT/Si hybrid thin film were investigated using the transfer matrix method (TMM), yielding exceptional transmittance (94.5%), low reflectance (4.5%), and minimal absorption (1.0%) at a wavelength of 0.5876 μm. This highlights the material’s potential for efficient and transparent photovoltaic devices. By optimizing these parameters, a maximum efficiency of ∼24% was achieved, demonstrating the potential for high-performance hybrid solar cells. This work underscores the significance of numerical analysis in designing efficient hybrid solar cells, paving the way for the development of low-cost, high-performance devices via spin coating, a groundbreaking advancement in solar energy harvesting.