Quasi-3D Optimization of Grid Architecture for Photovoltaic Converters Using Solcore

Numerical study of metal front contacts grid spacing for photovoltaic (PV) devices is presented with application to PV converter of relatively small size. The model is constructed based on the open source Solcore Python library. A three-step-process is developed to create a hybrid quasi-3D model. The optimal grid spacing was simulated at different temperatures to yield the highest conversion efficiency under various illumination conditions. The results show that the grid spacing needs to be reduced for higher temperatures to yield the highest efficiency. Moreover, the tolerance of the grid spacing is found to be more critical at higher temperature.