Hands-on Workshop on SCAPS 1D Simulation Tool

Hands-on Workshop on SCAPS 1D Simulation Tool

DATE: 26-09-2024

TIME: 2 PM to 4 PM

VENUE: AD 503

EVENT CONVENER: Dr. K.N.Srinivas, Professor & Head, EEE

EVENT COORDINATOR: Dr. S.R.Sitaaraman, AP/EEE

NO. OF PARTICIPANTS: 25

EVENT POSTER:

RESOURCE PERSON DETAILS – BRIEF PROFILE OF THE SPEAKER

Mr. S. R. Sitaaraman Working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of EEE at SRMIST, Ramapuram. He Graduated B.E. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at PSNA College of Engineering and Technology, Dindigul, Tamilnadu, India. He secured Master of Technology in Nanotechnology at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India. He Pursued Ph.D. in the field of tandem cells for Photoelectrochemical water splitting at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India. He is in research for 5 years. He has published number of papers in International Journals, and Conferences. His areas of Research are Supercapacitors, Dye-sensitized and Perovskite solar cells, tandem cells for unassisted photoelectrochemical water splitting.

SUMMARY OF THE EVENT:

Report on Hands-on Workshop on SCAPS 1D Simulation Tool

SRM IST EEE.

Date: 25-09-2024

Venue: ADMIN 503

Participants: 1^st & 2^nd year EEE Students

Objective

The main objective of this hands-on workshop was to equip participants with the skills needed to simulate solar cell structures using SCAPS 1D. The workshop also focused on interpreting the results of simulations and understanding the impact of various physical parameters on solar cell performance. As training on renewable energy resources is important for EEE students, this was arranged as an INTERNALLY RESOURCED programme. Dr S R Sitaaraman, AP/EEE was the resource person to conduct this.

Trainings covered

1. Introduction to SCAPS-1D

• -Overview of SCAPS-1D and its capabilities.
• -Understanding the graphical user interface (GUI).
• -Basics of device physics for solar cells (pn-junction, carrier transport, recombination).

2. Setting up Simulations

• -Creating a new solar cell structure.
• -Defining materials and their properties (bandgap, mobility, absorption, etc.).
• -Inputting device layer parameters (thickness, doping concentration, etc.).

3. Defining Material Properties

• -Using built-in material databases or creating custom materials.
• -Assigning parameters like electron affinity, dielectric constant, etc.

4. Running Simulations

• -Simulating the J-V (current-voltage) characteristics of a solar cell.
• -Simulating spectral response and quantum efficiency.

5. Analyzing Results

• -Interpreting J-V curves (short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, fill factor, efficiency).
• -Understanding carrier transport mechanisms.
• -Analyzing the effects of defects and interface recombination.
• -Use of batch simulations for parameter sweeps.

Key Learnings

Participants learned how to use SCAPS to model solar cell structures and predict their performance. They gained insights into how physical parameters such as bandgap, doping, and recombination mechanisms impact solar cell efficiency. The workshop emphasized the importance of optimizing different layers of a solar cell for achieving higher efficiency.

Conclusion

The hands-on workshop on SCAPS 1D simulation tool was highly beneficial for students interested in solar cell design and optimization. The workshop provided a solid foundation for using SCAPS in research applications and enabled participants to simulate and interpret the performance of various photovoltaic devices.

PHOTOS (GEOTAG PHOTOS):

OUTCOMES OF THE PROGRAM:

Goal 4: Quality Education

• Educational Sessions: Included lectures on solar energy fundamentals, photovoltaic technology, and the importance of education in advancing sustainable energy solutions.
• Hands-On Learning: Used SCAPS 1D to simulate various solar cell designs, allowing participants to learn by doing.

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• Focus on Renewable Energy: Highlighted the importance of solar energy in achieving clean energy targets.
• SCAPS 1D Applications: Taught participants how to model different solar technologies (e.g., thin-film, multi-junction) to explore cost and efficiency.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Innovation Sessions: Encouraged participants to think creatively about new solar technologies and how SCAPS 1D can be used to enhance innovation.
• Collaboration: Initiated groups to brainstorm new projects or improvements to existing technologies based on simulation results.