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In photovoltaic solar cells, radial p-n junctions have been considered a very promising structure to improve the carrier collection efficiency and accordingly the conversion efficiency. In the present study, the semiconductor equations, namely Poisson's and continuity equations for a cylindrical p-n junction solar cell, have been solved analytically. The analytical model is based on Green's function theory to calculate the current density, open circuit voltage, fill factor, and conversion efficiency. The model has been used to simulate p-n and p-i-n silicon radial solar cells. The validity and accuracy of the present simulator were confirmed through a comparison with previously published experimental and numerical reports.

Summary Radial junction nanorods (nanowires) are mainly used to improve the carrier collection efficiency and accordingly the conversion efficiency of solar cells. In this work, a numerical simulator has been produced for a cylindrical p–n junction solar cell based on a finite difference discretization of semiconductor, Poisson's, drift–diffusion transport and charge continuity equations. It can be applied to estimate the photogenerated current density, open circuit voltage, fill factor and conversion efficiency of inorganic radial p–n and p–i–n junction nanowires. Additionally, the simulator can produce the spatial distribution of the carriers' densities, electric field and energy bands of the nanowires. The simulator results show a good matching with previously published ones. Finally, the simulator is used in a parametric study to optimize the geometry and the junction depth of cylindrical silicon solar cells. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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