Performance Evaluation of Solar Cells by Different Simulating Softwares

Abstract

In the contemporary era of technological advancements, solar energy emerges as a promising and easily implementable solution to meet future energy demands sustainably. This chapter delves into recent innovative techniques and simulation software pertaining to this environmentally friendly technology, focusing on device simulation, novel structures, and cutting-edge methods. A comparative analysis among major solar cell modeling simulators, such as PC1D, SCAPS-1D, wxAMPS-1D, AMPS-1D, ASA, Gpvdm, SETFOS, PECSIM, ASPIN, ADEPT, AFORS-HET, TCAD, and SILVACO ALTAS, is presented. These simulators not only aid in analyzing fabricated cells but also predict the impact of device modifications. The current year has witnessed significant efforts in developing sustainable energy systems through innovative solar cell simulators and semiconductor models. A concise evaluation of well-established solar cell simulators is provided to identify the most reliable tool for assessing photovoltaic technology performance. The chapter offers a user-friendly linear operating procedure and a congenial dialog box for multi-junction solar cells, providing valuable benefits for scientists, researchers, and skilled programmers in the photovoltaic community. This solar simulation software plays a crucial role in designing environment-friendly solar energy systems and calculating potential solar PV system outcomes for various projects, both grid-tied and off-grid, continually improving the solar energy technology landscape.

1. Introduction

Among different energy resources, sun’s energy is introduced as a versatile source of energy which may be used for number of purposes like heating, cooling and brightening of houses and businesses. Sunlight is environment friendly source of energy that is converted into other useful form of energies for multiple purposes from different ways. The primitive solar designs for space heating, solar water heating and cooling are the most common solar applications for domestic and commercial use in present time. For solar designers and installers, it is important and critical to generate energy-efficient, environment friendly and cost-effective systems for both domestic and industry sectors. Due to these reasons, solar simulation software is important for researchers, engineers, solar cell designers, planners and dealers in market to create realistic offers for reliable attractive potential solar customers for sustainable future. Hence, let us get insight for some vital and novel information with respect to solar simulation software and informative knowledge about what are their use, how to choose one along with main phases in PV system design and its application in numerous fields.

Now days, for theoretical evaluation and investigations of solar cell working before final solar cell fabrication through different fabrication and deposition techniques, it is necessary for researchers to work on computer-based simulation programs or simulators that are becoming increasingly famous for their reliable theoretical assessment. The development of different solar simulators for photovoltaic applications was introduced in the mid-1980s when the technology was at its peak [1, 2]. With the passage of time, the increase in speed, performance and capacity of computers also enhanced the performance, speed and other features of the solar simulators. Despite the fact that fundamental objective for the invention of these simulating programs was to aid the researchers to reveal the well device performance to the academians but after some time it has grown into an essential tool in lab as well as for domestic and industrial applications. Up to now, several solver packages designed for simulating and modeling of solar cells are commercially available [3].

In the family of modern solar technology, photovoltaic community is familiar with various one-dimensional modeling tools that are mainly used like PC-1D, SCAPS-1D, AMPS-1D along with multi-dimensional modeling tools that are mainly used like Silvaco ATLAS, COMSOL multiphysics, Sentaurus ASPIN3 [4]. Generally, the basic modules of many simulators have similarities but they differ by features like speed, effectiveness, graphical interface and user access. PV simulators are usually designed and generated for various areas such as optics, semiconductor physics and electrical circuits along with characterization, production, costs analysis and photovoltaic operations. To produce ever-better materials and techniques for solar PV cells, there are numbers of parameters that may be accommodated for the improvement and enhancement of device performance along with multiple factors such as material type, geometric arrangement and thickness. The development of new solar technology is a challenging process that involves making small changes to various parameters. However, computational modeling simulators have made it easier and more accessible to evaluate and examine these advances, thereby eliminating the need to physically build every new change for evaluation. In this chapter, there are number of scientific publications on solar simulators [5, 6] and researchers mainly focused on modeling softwares of PV system and along with analysis and vice versa. In our work we have studied frequently used well-established solar simulators in details. We also reviewed the benefits and drawbacks of these tools, as well as comparisons with our prepared list of free simulation programmes.

2. Uses of solar simulation Softwares

According to the need and demand of solar energy, solar simulation software is used to build and model PV solar applications. They are used to assess the performance of PV systems. It aids in system design and fabrication process by evaluating the size specifications and choices of different solar power system components like solar panel array, charge controller, PV inverter and battery bank in addition to identify any losses in system. Solar simulator also calculates the impact of varying orientations that tilt angles on system working. The capacity to determine the cost as well as payback time period of domestic and industrial projects is a critical aspect of solar simulation software. Essentially, solar simulation software assists engineers in creating efficient but cost-effective PV systems.

3. Benefits of using solar simulation Softwares

Solar simulation software enables energy experts and designers to do a wide range of jobs and calculations with ease. Without them, these calculations would have taken a long time. It also provides easy automation, allowing solar community to provide consumer’s rapid feedback. Solar simulation software simplifies and streamlines the engineering and sales processes, which is remarkably beneficial for large-scale solar production plants with different challenges.

4. Features of solar simulation Softwares

A simulator that possesses the following features should be considered a good simulator.

• Accuracy: The solar modeling programme must be precise in calculating many parameters like energy yield, inverter size, PV modules and vice versa.

• Ease of Use: The unique property of effective solar simulator is its easy use, which should be streamlined for both researchers and technicians to evaluate and operate.

• User-Friendly: The simulating software used to generate PV systems should be easy and simple for users so that they quickly obtain the required results after providing the input data.

• Flexibility: Another crucial and important feature that affects the use of a photovoltaic system designing tool. It helps in finding the size, thickness, quantity and also type of each necessary component used in the PV system, which results in better performance.

• Compatibility: Solar simulator should be compatible with vast operating systems like Windows, Linux, and Mac or any web browser.

• Report Generation: A good solar modeling software generates comprehensive results that help in evaluating the components required for the fabrication of a solar power system, also assist in determining and evaluating system energy losses, expenses and saving parameters. The generating report also expresses project details like project name, description, location and so on.

5. Key steps in designing a solar PV system

A photovoltaic system is designed in four major stages:

• System Design

• Size of component

• Performance Study

• Economic feasibility

• System Design: Gathering site location data is an important part of system design. It includes solar irradiation, utility connection and shading analysis needed in this data.

• Sizing: The secondary important phase is the sizing parameters that determine the size of various components of the PV system. Other features like battery storage capacity and inverter capacity are also mentioned. This ensures that required electricity is produced to fulfill energy demand.

• Performance Analysis: The solar system is simulated by using solar PV modeling software during the performance study.

• Economic Viability: The economic feasibility of the required project must be acknowledged. A brief economic and feasible project of the solar PV system should be performed at this fact.

6. Solar cell simulators

This chapter provides a detailed exploration of solar cell simulators, covering their development procedures, programming languages, semiconductor models and important features from the inception to the state-of-the-art versions. These modeling programs used commonly within the photovoltaic community in this modern era.

6.1 Personal computer simulation software (PC1D)

PC1D is the solar cell modeling application that is utilized the most frequently among those that are available for commercial purchase. The commercial success of this product is built upon its swiftness, user-friendliness and continuous updates to keep pace with the most recent cell models. It is used to model the performance of new devices and also helps new users build a grasp of the physics behind device operation. The University of New South Wales is now making PC1D freely accessible to the public. When the user has finished configuring the PC1D basic model, the system will create a number of nodes for them to solve. The number of nodes increases in regions of the cell when there is a change in the doping as well as in regions that are close to surfaces. It is also possible to halt the software during the simulation so that you may investigate the spatial distribution of carriers or the field throughout the device at a certain bias point. The schematic representation and doping density profile of Si-based solar is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Schematic representation of device architecture designed by PC1D and doping density profile generated by PC1D.

PC1D is known as one-dimensional solar modeling software generated by computer engineer Diane Rover et al. in 1985. It was installed at IBM-compatible personal computers and written in the Pascal language as well as designed for crystalline silicon solar cell [1, 2]. The exceptional parameters like speed, interface and continuous update to the up-to-date cell model use permit it for the best utilized package. For the improvement of the basic version of this simulator the mentioned models or methods were used such as the trap-assisted tunneling model, intra-band and Newton-Gummel method. On the other hand, the updated version, (PC1D mod 6.1), incorporates several new models like Fermi-Dirac statistics. In addition, crystalline silicon solar cell efficiency simulation is included for better executions [7]. In recent times, 20.35% efficiency has been achieved and simulated for single c-Si solar cell with the help of PC1D [8]. In addition with efficiency simulations, other factors like band gap’s impact and electron affinity tuning of Zinc oxide layer on crystalline solar cell enactment as well as the factor like Anti-Reflecting Coating (ARC) layer’s concerns on this solar cell have simulated by using this simulator for better performance [9].

6.2 Advanced semiconductor analysis (ASA)

Advanced Semiconductor Analysis (ASA) is a state-of-the-art software used for simulating thin-film hydrogenated solar cells. It is highly effective and widely regarded as the most advanced operational tool for this purpose. ASA solves one-dimensional semiconductor equations using free electron concentration, hole concentration and electrostatic potential (the Poisson equation and two continuity equations for electrons and holes). It also uses advanced physical models to characterize device and material optoelectronic characteristics. The updated version of this simulating package uses an integrated optoelectronic attitude for rapid simulations of JV curves, efficiencies and fill factors for microcrystalline and thin-film silicon solar cells [10, 11].

6.3 Amps-1D

AMPS-1D is another widespread simulation software for analyzing the characteristic performance of a-Si:H, polycrystalline, copper indium gallium selenide [12, 13, 14] and Copper zinc tin sulfide solar cells. AMPS explains how material properties (bandgap, affinity, doping, mobilities, gap state defect distributions in the bulk and at interfaces) and device design/structure control device physics and response to light, impressed voltage and temperature. AMPS allows users to study and compare band diagrams, current components, recombination, generation and electric field plots as a function of light intensity, voltage, temperature and location to better understand device behavior to a given circumstance (i.e., light bias, voltage bias and temperature). AMPS-1D was supported by IBM and the Electric Power Research Institute [15]. It uses the FORTRAN programming language and is based on the Newton–Raphson method. Compared to earlier software, it has better simulation features. However, data entry in AMPS can be time-consuming due to the requirement of numerous parameters and layers. Figure 2 shows parametric information that need to be added for single layer in AMPS-1D software.

Figure 2.

Parametric configuration in AMPS simulation software.

6.4 WxAMPS

wxAMPS is a 1D solar cell modeling application developed in partnership with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Nankai University in China. In 2012, Yiming Liu et al. developed well-run, up-to-date version of AMPS solar simulator [16]. This modified version takes the identical dataset as original AMPS-1D takes and confirms the similar type of physical values of defects and recombination. This tool is supplementary for tandem solar cells simulation created by alteration of a trap-assisted tunneling model [16]. Until now, this simulator is normally employed for simulation of CIGS solar cell, CZTS, dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) [17, 18, 19] as well as tandem solar cell and amorphous silicon p-i-n tandem cell (Figure 3) [20].

Figure 3.

Schematic representation of silicon-based solar cell designed by wxAMPS and input/output display panel wxAMPS [20].

6.5 SCAPS-1D

SCAPS-1D is a one-dimensional solar cell simulator commonly used for CIGS solar cell. It was developed by the Department of Electronics and Information Systems (ELIS) at the University of Gent, Belgium [21]. The simulation tool is freely accessible to the research community and is designed for polycrystalline cell structures of both CuInSe2 and CdTe communities. This simulating tool is developed to manage the following factors like thin-films, multiple interfaces and large band gaps etc. The software progressed over the years to comprise further mechanisms like Auger recombination, multiple enhancements to user interface, tunneling etc. This simulating tool was specially established with the help of Gummel scheme along with Newton Raphson method for CIGS as well as CdTe solar cell. Until now, this package has been operational for crystalline solar cells, GaAs and a-Si: H cell, as well as micro amorphous Si solar cells and their applications. The step-by-step procedure for numerical calculation and definition of panel for different layers employed in the SCAPS-1D device model is represented in Figure 4. Following features have given this tool a numerous identity [22].

• Data analysis and calculations for I-V, C-V and C-f.

• A number of standard models offered with the distribution packages.

• Well-established user interface, appropriate scripting facilities.

Figure 4.

Algorithm and definition of panel in SCAPS-1D.

6.6 SETFOS

A CPU is an efficient and a powerful simulation software that is commercially available and designed for the development of unique optoelectronic technologies like organic thin-film-based PV solar cell, OLED and perovskite solar cells. This star software is generated by Professor Dr. Beat Ruhstaller [23]. There are four different modules in SETFOS for simulation given in following parameters [24].

• Light emission and absorption.

• Charge transport characteristics.

• Scattering.

This simulating tool has been declared as reliable and suitable tool for the development of organic solar cell device structure. The reliability, flexibility and speed of this software make it reliable and effective for perovskite solar cell, quantum dot and organic thin-film based solar cell (Figure 5).

Figure 5.

Characteristics employed in SETFOS for PVs and OLEDS [24].

6.7 General-purpose photovoltaic device model (Gpvdm)

GPVDM is a free and versatile simulating software for optoelectronic devices and was created by Roderick C. I. Mackenzie at Imperial College London. This tool was written for simulation of PV solar cells but later on it is proficient to simulate the working of multiple classes of devices such as OFETs, OLEDs, optical filters, first, second and third generation PV solar cells. Until now, this tool can simulate a lot of devices as mentioned below.

• Organic LEDs and Organic Solar Cells.

• Organic Field Effect Transistors (OFETs).

• Crystalline Silicon, CIGS solar cells and a-Si solar cells.

This simulating software has both electrical and optical modules for producing and analyzing the precise solar cell simulations for various applications with respect to requirements [25]. This platform assists an easy and operational tool to explore the effect of optoelectronic properties. Figure 6 visualizes the graphical user interface in GPVDM.

Figure 6.

Schematic representation of organic solar cell designed by GPVDM and user Interface in GPVDM.

6.8 AFORS-het

Among other simulators, AFROS-HET is one-dimensional numerical simulating software for modeling heterojunction PV solar cells, optoelectronic devices as well as some communal solar cell characterization techniques [26]. This simulating software is generated by A. Froitzheim et al. of Hahn-Meitner-Institute Berlin, Germany in 2003 [26]. It is useful for the maximum attainable efficiencies as well as developing the designing mechanism for solar cells like crystalline and amorphous solar cells [27]. The Auger recombination, intra-band model and Hurkx model are incorporated by the latest version of AFROS-HET [28]. This unique simulator has been generally utilized for (multi-junction) thin-film solar cells well as (heterojunction) multi-layer solar cells. The typical input panels in AFORS-HET are illustrated in Figure 7. The latest version 2.4 of AFORS-HET explains the one-dimensional semiconductor equations like Poisson’s equation, continuity equation for electrons/holes with the help of predictable differences under altered conditions, i.e.,

• Equilibrium and steady state mode.

• Steady state mode with small supplementary sinusoidal perturbations.

• Simple transient mode.

• General transient mode.

Figure 7.

Typical input panels in AFORS-HET.

A group of different physical models have been applied. The class of electron and hole pairs may be designated either by Lambert–Beer absorption containing irregular surfaces and by using measureable transmission and reflection files also by measuring the plain surface internal reflections with the help of complex indices of reflection for the different layers.

Basic input parameter of AFORS-HET and associated physical models:

• Super band gap generation optical models (Optical parameters).

• Semiconductor bulk models (Layer parameters).

• Semiconductor interface models (Interface parameters).

• Back/front contact to semiconductor boundary models (Boundary parameters).

• Circuit elements and external parameters.

6.9 Aspin-2D

ASPIN-2D is a particular two-dimensional computer program developed by M Vukadinović from Ljubljana University in 2000 [29]. This modeling tool is developed with the help of drift-diffusion model and has been utilized to simulate transport of heterojunction solar cells. The latest version of this software is ASPIN3 which permits the simulating lateral transport as well as mixtures of various materials, grain boundaries that are not promising with one-dimensional simulator [30]. This simulating package is suitable for p-i-n junction-based a-Si PV solar cell together with tandem cell and CIGS cell.

6.10 Photo electro chemical simulation software (PECSIM)

It is a state-of-the art programming platform for solar cell, designed by Matthias Schmid et al. at Zürich University in 2011 [31]. This simulator was specifically established for DSSCs (Dye-sensitized solar cells) using a certified optical model which includes an electrical model and ray-tracing algorithm. A unique and user-friendly GUI is unified in PECSIM for enabling the consumers to distinguish a deep vision into the contact between the various constituents of a DSSCs or perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as well as GUI supports the consumers to evaluate the conversion losses and embrace the optimization techniques for getting better the performance of solar cell. With the growing reputation of PSCs and DSSCs, the uses and applications of PECSIM simulating software have been growing extraordinarily.

6.11 Adept

ADEPT is another commonly used simulator developed by Jeffrey L. Gray in 1991 and written in C++ language [32]. This modeling software utilizes a comprehensive Newton method for execution by using ADEPT tool. One-dimensional simulation can be executed simply in usual PC environment. A latest uniting of the sparse matrix solvers permits this tool to accomplish two-dimensional simulations as well as it can be used to arrange the homo and heterostructures of PV solar cell and for further applications. ADEPT solves Poisson’s equation and the hole and electron continuity equations in one dimension in compositionally non-uniform semiconductors. It was designed to represent solar cells made from amorphous silicon, copper indium diselenide and cadmium telluride. As the user enter material properties (band gap, mobility, etc.), devices made from any material with known parameters can be represented. At any operational point, carrier density, recombination, electric field and others may be displayed. The novel Frozen Potential Method simulates non-superposition solar cells. This simulator has been utilized to simulate the workings of GaAs, CIGS, AlGaAs, CdTe as well as a-Si:H PV solar cell [33].

6.12 TCAD

TCAD is a particular computer program generally known as commercial simulation package that has been developed for designing and fabrication of semiconductor device. This solar simulator is designed by Synopsys that enable the programmers, researchers as well as industrialists to implement the device simulations for composite structured PV solar cell along with investigating the obtained simulation results [34, 35].

Many research organizations like NREL are using this solar simulator for calculating the CdTe, CIGS, GaAs as well as multi-junction PV solar cell efficiency and actual manufacturing of these solar cells. Most of the solar softwares revealed above are generated for one-dimensional solar cell simulations [36].

6.13 Atlas

ATLAS is an excellent solar simulator that has been generated for estimating the optoelectronic performance of 2D/3D semiconductor devices. This solar simulator is established by Silvaco Atlas and is utilized for simulation of various kinds of single junction PV solar cells. ATLAS has supplementary feature of simulation for tandem cell productions and performances. This simulating tool is also proficient to simulate the optoelectronic properties of inorganic and organic cells. Yet, this solar simulator has been performed for CIGS cell, textured cell, MIS cell, 3D coaxial cell and image sensors working simulation. The above discussed solar cell softwares are well reputable and commonly operated for executing the simulation task of multiple types of PV solar cells [37].

7. Other solar cell simulators

7.1 Open solar

It is the world’s first open-access, end-to-end solar design and sales application that provides solar experts with a sophisticated yet user-friendly software package that meets all of their needs, from sales and lead management to solar system design, installation and analysis [38]. It comprises a database including average worldwide daily solar radiation statistics taken on the ground for each month of the year. The peculiarity of this solar database is that it is available to everyone, open for data extraction and data introduction. Data can be extracted by anybody. This extraction may be accomplished in a variety of methods, including downloading, online copy/paste, connecting to a web service or using Flex Remote Object Services (amf format).

Key Features:

Three-dimensional Design, Prominent Precision: The fastest, easiest and most accurate 3D design tool available. You can create your designs with reliability and affordability in the lab in in the various field.

Unified Business Partners: Easy selection and combination of your selected finance suppliers, real-time agreements, creating selling at ease than ever.

Tenders that Sell: Interactive proposals, fully customizable online having 24% sale adaptation strained from knowledge selling tens of thousands of systems live and over the cell phone.

Open Access: It is free for all users for an indefinite period. Link your current CRM and corporate tools to this production-leading platform.

7.2 PVsyst

This unique modeling software is introduced here for studying, analyzing data and designing complete PV systems. It includes multiple parameters for grid-connected, pumping, stand-alone and DC-grid PV systems. In addition, extensive databases of photovoltaic system component, as well as a range of broad-spectrum solar energy utensils are provided. PVsyst is intended for architects, engineers and researchers. It includes a user-friendly project development guide as well as a comprehensive contextual help menu that explains the approaches and models employed. PVsyst receives meteorological and personal data from a variety of sources. PVsyst produces a complete report, graphs and tables, as well as exportable data. This simulator is generally developed for solar designers, researchers and engineers. It is enormously favorable for learning and training [39]. The PVsyst system’s design board is demonstrated in Figure 8.

Figure 8.

System design board of PVsyst.

Key Features:

• System sizing and designing.

• It generates simulations and outcomes.

• Model storage systems.

• Simulates the aging effect of solar modules, etc.

• Creating a shading scene.

• Introducing data and components and receiving climate data from metronome.

7.3 Solar labs

Solar Labs are unique and effective software for solar designing as well as sales growth in photovoltaic community. It concentrates in creating software for PV solar installers and commercial sectors to develop pilot sales quotes and elevate system proposals. They were established in 2017 and its headquarters is in India [40].

Design Formation: This simulator generates designs that are simple, easy, accurate, reliable and fast, which can be viewed in 2D or 3D. Also creates various rehearsals and picks the best reliable solution liable on customer’s requirements.

Smarter Energy Modeling and Profiling: It develops thorough electrical figures and diagrams for domestic and commercial projects in a few minutes. You can easily illustrate the mounting templates and panel tilt values by selecting from a range of options. Draw-in barriers of any figure with the help of the polygon tool and others.

Precise Simulations and Shading Analysis: Without difficulty calculate your monthly, annual power consumption and production. Generate shading patterns of any single day of the year and simulate reliable heat maps according to your proposals.

Trade Proposals and Profit-making Reports: Invite clients with systematic and far-reaching attractive proposals. Attention on the basic factors like vital growing metrics and make available several financial options in a brief mode. Observe your aggregate savings, Return Period and Interior Return Rate in one single assessment.

7.4 Aurora solar

Aurora Solar presents unique software that allows solar photovoltaic engineering design as well as gives planned management performance, and gives reliable facilities for sales and customer services that may be helpful for solar PV installers as well as financiers. Aurora Solar software is found by Aurora Christopher Hopper and Samuel Adeyemo in 2013, headquarters situated in San Francisco, California, USA [41].

Key Features:

• Efficient and Simple Design Interface:

Users can utilize comprehensive shade measurement and shading analysis rightly in solar PV applications, effective components for system designs and fabrication also to create ID and 2D diagrams automatically. Through this simulator all generated designs are checked automatically for electrical constraints, NEC rule compliance and industrial interpretations and applications.

• Automated and easily accessible Financial Report:

This simulator provides rapid findings for project’s feasibility, streamline models and most reliable financing formations. Financial models enable the project’s competency for accurate profile as well as make the dynamic visualizations and accuracy reliable of financial information like payback periods, cash flows and bill savings.

7.5 HelioScope

In solar industry, HelioScope is a famous platform for fabrication, designing high-performance solar panels. It has distinct features that are necessary for researcher’s interest in solar community. Many candidates have utilized this simulating software to fabricate and design solar PV arrays. It has distinct features as an easily accessible solar design tool. This contributes the following features given below [42, 43, 44].

• PV Solar Panels Layout.

• Indefinite Designs.

• CAD (Computer-Aided Drawing) Tools.

• Google Charts Integration.

• Energy Loss Map.

• Single-Click Sharing.

• Quick Design Revision.

• Calculation for voltage Drop.

• Wiring Variety.

• PAN File Backing.

• Drawing of Shading Integration.

• Single Line Diagram Export.

• NSRDB or NREL Meteo Integration.

• Estimates of Solar Energy Production.

8. Results and discussion

Now a time, there are number of photovoltaic modeling softwares reported in literature covering the areas of semiconductor physics, photonics, optics, electrical circuit design also in device fabrication and characterization along with costs analysis [5, 44]. This chapter describes a well-established solar simulators like PC1D, SCAPS-1D, wxAMPS-1D, AMPS-1D, ASA, Gpvdm, SETFOS, PECSIM, ASPIN, ADEPT, AFORS-HET, TCAD and SILVACO ALTAS.

At the beginning, many simulating softwares have their parameters, variables and function set up in a variety of scenarios, light intensities and device properties. In order for photovoltaic cells to function properly, light must first be taken in and then used to create an electron–hole pair. At the first stage of this process, the energy contained in a photon is transformed into the form of electrical energy by means of the formation of an electron–hole pair. Because of the natural variance that occurs in the terrestrial spectrum, every reference spectrum has a degree of arbitrary quality to it. The AM1.5G global spectrum is used in order to ensure that the standard spectrum is reflective of the vast majority of PV cells. It is a common practice to assume that the power density is 1000 W/cm². The photon flux of the AM1.5G spectrum will be utilized to determine the generation rate. The temperature of the ambient environment is assumed to be 300 K unless specified otherwise. The semiconductor module will provide the semiconductor function such as doping, generation and recombination, trap density and space charge density, based on Poisson’s Equation, in order to analyze the carrier transport with the gradients of semiconductor parameters around the heterojunction interfaces.

PC1D is suitable simulator for crystalline silicon solar cell whereas SCAPS-1D is for CIGS, ASA is for amorphous silicon, SETFOS, PECSIM and Gpvdm are employed for organic solar cell and AFROS-HET is for heterojunction solar cell, AMPS-1D, SCAPS-1D, ADAPT and TCAD are used for multiple solar cell simulations. Most of the simulating softwares have been generated by using a single junction solar cell model. ASA, SETFOS and ADEPT have additional features for simulating the comparatively lower efficiency tandem solar cells. But wxAMPS and TCAD simulators have III-V multi-junction solar cell simulating capabilities as compared to single junction solar cell.

The research indicates that 3D models offer more accurate estimates of the parasitic losses that occur in solar cells. But nonetheless, one more method for calculating these parasitic losses is to use the equivalent electrical circuit of the solar cell and the IV response equation. In this particular scenario, the 1D simulation will serve as the foundation for defining PV devices in such a way that they are able to adequately manage the complicated carrier movement.

It is important to note that the majority of PV simulators provide simulation capabilities at no cost, with the exception of paid programmes such as ASA, SETFOS, SILVACO ATLAS and TCAD. This fact has to be brought to your attention. The availability of these tools, along with their compatibility with various applications and operating systems, is outlined in Table 1. This comparative research sheds light on the precise instrument that should be used to simulate solar cells.

S/N	Simulators	Dimension	Availability	System requirement	Capability
1	PC1D	1D	Free of cost	All windows versions up to Windows 7	Capable to simulate most of the solar cell but; perfect for (C-Si) solar cell.
2	ASA	1D	Paid	Windows 7 or 8 operating systems	Thin Si:H/μc -film ce -Si:H tandem cell ll: a-Si:H, μc-Si:H and a-.
3	AMPS	1D	Free of cost	MacOS 10.9 and windows 7 or upgrade	C-Si, a-Si:H, CIGS, CZTS cells.
4	wxAMPS	1D	Free of cost	All windows versions up to Windows 7,; Vista	Having all feature of AMPS including; tandem solar cell.
5	SCAPS	1D	Free of cost	Compatible with Windows and Linux	Thin-film Solar cell: CIGS, CdTe, GaAs, C; Si and a-Si:H cell.
6	SETFOS	1D	Paid	Compatible Windows and Linux (x86; and ARM)	Organic, perovskites, quantum-dots,; perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells.
7	Gpvdm	1D	Paid	Windows Vista/7/8 systems	perovskite, polymer, C-Si, a-Si:H and CIGS; cells.
8	AFORS-HET	1D	Free of cost	Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1/Linux	a-Si:H/c-Si cell.
9	ASPIN	2D	Free of cost	Windows 7 / 8.1 /10	CIGS, a-Si:H/C-Si.; a-Si:H p-i-n heterojunction cell.
10	PECSIM	N/A	Free of cost	Windows 7 / 8.1 /10	Perovskite, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs).
11	ADEPT	1D	Free of cost	Windows 10, Windows Server 2016,; Processor: Intel Core i7 or equivalen	C-Si, GaAs, AlGaAs/GaAs tandem, CIGS,; CdTe and thin-film a-Si:H solar cell.
12	TCAD	2D, 3D	Paid	Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 (64-bit), Linux; 6 & 7	CMOS, power, memory, image sensors, solar; cells.
13	ATLAS	2D, 3D	Paid	Windows and Linux platforms (version; not mentioned)	Organic solar cell, tandem solar cell,; photodetector.

Table 1.

Comparative study of solar cell simulators.

9. Conclusion

In this article, we gave an overview of the various open-source software tools that are available for modeling photovoltaic (PV) cells used in wearable applications. In total, we reviewed eighteen different software programmes. According to the findings of our investigation, the various simulation technologies delivered a variety of outcomes. This was owing to the fact that they used different approaches to the problem of solving the semiconductor equations. In spite of this, we came to the conclusion that PC1D and SCAPS-1D is the best accurate non-commercial tool for use in wearable applications. It has a straightforward operation technique, a friendly dialog box, extremely quick simulations at no additional expense and support for multi-junction solar cells. This study also includes a list of helpful references and internet connections for the photovoltaic community. These references and sites might be of use when choosing the best simulators for acceptable solar cells. This chapter may be useful for early career researchers, professional programmers and seasoned researchers in the field of solar cell simulation in the process of constructing a variety of various innovative solar cell simulators.

Additional information

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4485-3315.