Performance loss analysis and design space optimization of perovskite solar cells

While the performance enhancement witnessed in the field of perovskite solar cells over the recent years has been impressive, a detailed analysis of various loss mechanisms is required for further performance optimization. Here, we address the same through numerical simulations of optical and electrical characteristics. We quantify various losses like optical losses (5%–6%), recombination losses (3%–4%), and resistive losses against the Auger recombination induced practical efficiency limits. Through this, we identify schemes to reduce these losses and hence lead to an increase in efficiency. In addition, we find that the optimum thickness of the perovskite (with material parameters comparable to MAPbI3-xClx and Eg = 1.55 eV) for solar cell fabrication is around 300 nm (comparable to the well-established value); however, the same could be as large as 900 nm for a trap free perovskite (∼ms as the minority carrier Shockley-Read-Hall recombination lifetime). The analyses also enable us to provide the design charts that could lead to >25% efficient perovskite solar cells on the planar structure.