Search results for "Solar cell"
showing 10 items of 410 documents
Role of the Back Metal-Semiconductor Contact on the Performances of a-Si:H Solar Cells
2011
We have investigated the role of the metal-semiconductor back contact on the performances of thin film modules consisting of single junction a-Si:H photovoltaic (PV) cells deposited with p-i-n configuration. We find that an adequate choice of the back contact helps reducing the barrier height of the junction improving the contact conductivity. For this purpose Mo has shown to be effective. Moreover we find that Mo, as refractory material, has additional beneficial effects reducing the formation of defects leading to the decrease of recombination losses. We have then fabricated a PV module on flexible substrate for indoor energy harvesting applications using Mo as back contact. An efficiency…
Relaxation of photogenerated carriers in P3HT:PCBM organic blends.
2009
Relaxing in the sunlight. Long time-transient decays of photogenerated carriers in P3HT:PCBM blends for organic solar cells are interpreted in terms of the relaxation of hole carriers in a broad density of states. The after-pulse time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) decays observed in P3HT:PCBM blends display a dependence on time close to t−β, independent of excitation intensity, in the 10 ns–1 μs range. This is explained in terms of the relaxation of carriers in a Gaussian density of states (DOS). The model is based on a demarcation level that moves with time by thermal release and retrapping of initially trapped carriers. The model shows that when the disorder is large the after-pu…
Conformationally rigid molecular and polymeric naphthalene-diimides containing C6H6N2 constitutional isomers
2021
Organic thin films based on naphthalenediimides (NDIs) bearing alkyl substituents have shown interesting properties for application in OLEDs, thermoelectrics, solar cells, sensors and organic electronics. However, the polymorphic versatility attributed to the flexibility of alkyl chains remains a challenging issue, with detrimental implications on the performances. Aryl analogues containing C6H6N2 constitutional isomers are herein investigated as one of the possible way-out strategies. The synthesis of molecular and polymeric species is described, starting from naphthaleneteracarboxyldianhydride with isomeric aromatic amines and hydrazine. The materials are fully characterized by spectrosco…
Improvement of DSSC performance by voltage stress application
2016
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are promising third generation photovoltaic devices given their potential low cost and high efficiency. Some factors still affect DSSCs performance, such structure of electrodes, electrolyte compositions, nature of the sensitizers, power conversion efficiency, long-term stability, etc. In this work we discuss the effect of electrical stresses, which allow to improve DSSC performance. We have investigated the outcomes of forward and reverse DC bias stress as a function of time, voltage, and illumination level in the DSSCs sensitized with the N719, Ruthenium complex based dye. We demonstrate that all the major solar cell parameters, i.e., open circuit voltag…
Laser Beam Induced Current measurements on Dye Sensitized Solar Cells and thin film CIG(S,SE)<inf>2</inf> modules
2017
Calculating the efficiency of a solar cell depends on a precise knowledge of its area. Indeed, the photoresponse uniformity is essential to improve the manufacturing process. In this work we report on Laser Beam Induced Current measurements performed on CIG(S,Se) 2 modules and Dye Sensitized Solar Cells. These measurements, performed via a green and a red HeNe lasers both operating at an optical irradiance of 1 Sun, allowed to obtain an accurate photoresponse map of the specimens and highlighted the non-uniformities with a spatial resolution of 400 µm and 80 µm, respectively.
FAPb0.5Sn0.5I3: A Narrow Bandgap Perovskite Synthesized through Evaporation Methods for Solar Cell Applications
2020
The tunability of the optoelectrical properties upon compositional modification is a key characteristic of metal halide perovskites. In particular, bandgaps narrower than those in conventional lead‐based perovskites are essential to achieve the theoretical efficiency limit of single‐absorber solar cells, as well as develop multijunction tandem devices. Herein, the solvent‐free vacuum deposition of a narrow bandgap perovskite based on tin-lead metal and formamidinium cation is reported. Pinhole‐free films with 1.28 eV bandgap are obtained by thermal codeposition of precursors. The optoelectrical quality of these films is demonstrated by their use in solar cells with a power conversion effici…
Organic-inorganic and all-inorganic lead halide nanoparticles [Invited]
2015
Organic-inorganic (hybrid) and all-inorganic lead halide perovskites, in particular APbX(3) where A is an organic cation (methylammonium or formamidinium) or cesium cation and X = Cl, Br, I, respectively, are of great interest in photovoltaic devices and as luminescent materials for light-emitting devices. It has recently been demonstrated that they can be prepared not only as nanoparticulate material by using the pores of mesoporous films, but also as colloidal nanoparticles, which exhibit enhanced optical properties with respect to the bulk material. We summarize here the methods reported for their preparation as well as their optical features. Experimental and theoretical studies on this…
Combined heat and power generation with a HCPV system at 2000 suns
2015
In the framework of the FAE “Fotovoltaico ad Alta Efficienza” (“High Efficiency Photovoltaic”) Research Project funded by the Sicilian Region under the program PO FESR Sicilia 2007/2013 4.1.1.1, we have developed an innovative solar CHP system for the combined production of heat and power at the high concentration level of 2000 suns [1]. This work shows the experimental results obtained on FAE-HCPV modules and analyses the behaviour of the system. The solar radiation is concentrated on commercial InGaP/InGaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells designed for intensive work. The primary optics is a rectangular off-axis parabolic mirror (with a size of 46x46 = 2116 cm2 in a projection normal to the…
Band unpinning and photovoltaic model for P3HT:PCBM organic bulk heterojunctions under illumination
2008
Capacitance analysis of P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction solar cells, in dark and under illumination, shows a linear Mott-Schottky characteristic at moderate reverse bias, indicating p-doping of the organic blend. The flatband potential under illumination is displaced negatively about 0.6 V with respect to dark conditions. A basic photovoltaic model is developed to explain this, in terms of electron transfer via surface states at the metal/organic interface. Surface states with a slow exchange kinetics, become charged under illumination, unpinning the band and decreasing the depletion layer at the electron extraction contact. This becomes a major factor limiting the performance of bulk heteroj…
High Temperature SiC Blocking Diodes for Solar Array
2009
This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the performance of 300V-5A Silicon Carbide Ni and W Schottky diode operating in the range between -170°C to 270°C. We have developed these diodes as blocking diodes, for solar cell array protection in order to fulfill the BepiColombo mission specifications. An electro-thermal characterization has been performed taking into account the harsh condition of the mission (high temperature range and electrical stress). The destructive and non-destructive tests have assured that the designed SiC diodes are able to support the electro-thermal limits. A reliability test has also been performed to investigate the stability of forward …