Computational analysis of inorganic KSnBr₃ perovskite absorber for hybrid solar cells and modules

Solar energy is vital for meeting global renewable energy demands efficiently. Perovskite optical absorbers hold significant potential for high efficiency, innovative optoelectronic devices. Current study provides a detailed computational analysis to explore Potassium tin bromide (KSnBr₃) as a possible absorber material for hybrid photovoltaic cell and its module by using density functional theory (DFT), solar capacitance simulator SCAPS-1D and PVSyst software. The structural, electronic, and optical properties of KSnBr₃ were explored using mBJ potential in Quantum ESPRESSO. The proposed perovskite absorber has an energy band gap (E_g) of ~ 2.27 eV, showing strong potential for optoelectronic applications supported by its capability to absorb wide electromagnetic spectrum. Based on the optoelectronic properties a hybrid double absorber solar cell, Au-CuSbS₂-FASnI₃-KSnBr₃-TiO₂-AZO was designed and simulated in SCAPS-1D, incorporating TiO₂ electron transport layer (ETL), CuSbS₂ as hole transport layer (HTL) Formamidinium (FA) tin iodide CH(NH₂)₂SnI₃ and KSnBr₃ as active absorbers. The device performance was evaluated and optimized through variation in layers thickness, interface defects, bandgap tuning, metal work function, and temperature. The optimally yielded electrical parameters include a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.37%, short circuit current density (J_sc) of 31.4521 mA/cm², an open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.9406 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 79.60%. Single cell refined parameters were used in PVSyst to analyze the solar module. The optimized input produced a power output of 547.50 watts from a 72-cell module. The findings of this study are expected to advance the development of high-performance, environmentally sustainable solar cells and their modules with better performance.