Enhanced Multifaceted Model for Plasmon-Driven Schottky Solar Cells with Integrated Thermal Effects

Abstract This paper explores the development of an opto-thermal-electrical model for plasmonic Schottky solar cells (PSSCs) using a comprehensive multiphysics approach. We simulated the optical properties and energy conversion efficiencies of PSSCs with varying nanoparticle (NP) configurations and sizes. Our spectral analysis focused on the absorption characteristics of these solar cells, examining systems sized 3x3, 5x5, and 7x7, with NP radii ranging from 10 nm to 150 nm. Our study addresses a significant gap in solar cell research by presenting a novel multi-physics model for PSSCs decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) on thin silicon absorbers. This framework uniquely couples optical, electrical, and thermal responses. The total spectral heat absorption was evaluated over a range of 300 nm to 1200 nm. This spectral heating was further deconvoluted into nanoparticle heating and thermalization heating in silicon absorber. The findings demonstrate that a 5x5 NP array with a 70 nm radius optimizes electrical output, achieving a short circuit current (Jsc) of 11.54 mA/cm², representing a 47% increase over traditional bare silicon Schottky cells. Optimal NP coverage, about 34.9% of the Si absorber's frontal area, is particularly effective for silicon layers as thin as 2 µm, enhancing light absorption and carrier generation. However, this electrical enhancement is countered by significant thermal gains in NPs, reaching up to 182.5%, highlighting the importance of balancing thermal management. Enhanced energy yield maps confirm our model's predictions, showing improved outputs globally, especially in sunny regions with potential annual energy yield gains up to 60 kWh/m².