M/F Advanced multiphysics modeling of Perovskite/Silicon tandem cells under real operating conditions

29 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Institut des Nanotechnologies de Lyon

Research Field

Engineering
Physics
Technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

17 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Lyon Institute of Nanotechnology (INL) aims to develop multidisciplinary technological research in the field of micro and nanotechnology and their applications. The research conducted spans from materials to systems, leveraging the Lyon technological platform NanoLyon.

The proposed thesis will be carried out in collaboration with the CEA-INES, within the framework of the IOTA project (Innovative Tandem Architectures) of the PEPR TASE, funded by the French National Research Agency.

The recruited individual will work within the i-Lum team, which has developed internationally recognized expertise in nanoscale control of light-matter interaction with photonic crystals and metasurfaces, and its application in areas such as solar cells and solar energy harvesting, with activities ranging from opto-electrical simulations to nanofabrication and characterization. Specifically, the team has been a pioneer in the multiphysical (optical, thermal, and electrical) simulation of solar cells. All common INL resources will be made available for the project's success, especially tools for characterization by microscopy, optoelectronic spectroscopy, and vibrational spectroscopy.

In the current photovoltaic energy landscape, silicon-based solar cells dominate the market, accounting for 96% of the industry with power conversion efficiency reaching approximately 22% for commercial modules and up to 26.7% for research cells, nearing the theoretical Shockley-Queisser (SQ) limit of 29.4%. These advancements are the result of significant breakthroughs in solar cell architecture, focusing on enhancing light absorption and the optimized collection of photo-generated charges. To maximize the absorption of photons from the solar spectrum, tandem solar cells present a viable approach to surpass the SQ limit. For instance, KAUST researchers have achieved a certified efficiency of 33.9% in 2024 with perovskite/Si tandem cells, demonstrating the considerable potential of these technologies to exceed the SQ theoretical limit.
It is important to note that optimization processes are conducted under standard test conditions (STC) with a fixed cell temperature of 25°C. However, these standard test conditions, while useful for comparing different products and technologies, do not reflect real operational conditions where factors like cell temperature can drastically influence the performance and durability of the modules. Indeed, the operating temperature of the cells can exceed 70°C, resulting in temperature coefficients (TC) between 0.3 and 0.45%/°C. Consequently, the total annual energy production of PV modules is significantly lower than expected. Besides efficiency, the reliability and durability of the modules are also compromised by high temperatures, leading to an increase in the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). While thermal effects are well documented for crystalline silicon technologies, the impact of temperature on new perovskite-based technologies remains underexplored. In conclusion, improving and acquiring knowledge of the thermal and electrical phenomena governing the behaviors of PV cells and modules are essential to establish a set of conditions that optimally facilitate these phenomena.
The general objective of this thesis project is to significantly contribute to solving the scientific challenges currently hindering the electrical conversion efficiency of tandem PV cells under real operational conditions. This project will focus on the use of coupled multiphysical simulations (optical, thermal, and electrical) for 2T/3T tandem cell architectures to optimize their design (materials and geometry). These simulations rely on tools and methodologies developed and available at INL (using PYTHON/COMSOL). The simulation approach will be complemented by experimental measurements of the performance of tandem cells, allowing for an accurate correlation between theoretical predictions and actual behaviors.

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Technology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Engineering

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Physics

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Technology

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Additional comments

skills expected
The recruited individual must hold a master's degree (or equivalent) in a field ensuring in-depth knowledge of solar cell physics and photonics. They must demonstrate strong programming/modeling skills (Python, COMSOL, etc.).
They should have a pronounced affinity for teamwork, show initiative, and be proactive in making suggestions.
Furthermore, they must possess excellent communication skills, with proficiency in English (both written and spoken), necessary for drafting scientific articles and presenting research findings at international conferences.

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5270-VIRLAG-012/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institut des Nanotechnologies de Lyon

Country

France

City

VILLEURBANNE

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR5270-VIRLAG-012/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

VILLEURBANNE

Website

https://inl.cnrs.fr/

STATUS: EXPIRED