Geometrical and physical optimization of a photovoltaic cell by means of a genetic algorithm

A methodology for the geometrical and physical optimization of a photovoltaic cell is proposed, which makes use of a detailed distributed model for the device simulation and a genetic algorithm. For the numerical simulation of the device, a TCAD simulator is used, appropriately interfaced with the genetic algorithm. Since the parameters to be optimized are geometrical, each simulation requires a different mesh grid, which is automatically set within the genetic algorithm optimization cycle. The evaluation of the fitness function requires the post-processing of the output of the device simulation, which is performed by another external software, also interfaced with the genetic algorithm. The feasibility of this methodology is assessed on a homogeneous emitter solar cell, with some relevant free parameters, related to the number of fingers in a cell and to the doping profile of the emitter. The parameters which maximize the efficiency of the cell are determined by using the proposed procedure. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.