Simulation of Solar Cell using SCAPS 1-D and Effect of Defect Density on Lead-Free Solar Cell Performance

Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs), recognized as third-generation photovoltaic devices, offer significant commercialization potential due to their impressive Power Conversion Efficiencies (PCE). Challenges such as limited stability and performance degradation over time persist. Numerical modelling, performed using SCAPS1-D, identified the defect tolerance levels in the absorber and other layers present in a solar cell. Increasing the defect density directed to a substantial decline in PCE from 29.04% to 25.94%. Simulations estimated the impacts of metal type, material, and its acceptor or donor densities in the electron transport layer, providing deeper insights into the correlation between defect mechanisms and PSC performance along with free charges of the active layer. During simulation, the total defect density of the CH3NH3SnI3/FTO interface increases, and efficiency falls to 25.94% from 29.04%. and fill factor reduced to 75.5% from 84.42%. The thickness of the absorber layer used is 0.450 um. The less defect density, the more efficient the solar cell will be.