Search results for "Solar cell"
showing 10 items of 410 documents
CIGS PV Module Characteristic Curves Under Chemical Composition and Thickness Variations
2014
This paper analyzes how the electrical characteristics of a CIGS photovoltaic module are affected by the chemical composition and by the thickness variations of the CIGS absorber. The electrical characteristics here considered are the short circuit current, the open circuit voltage, the efficiency and the power peak. The chemical composition is varied by tuning the ratio between gallium and indium. This analysis has been performed by means of the wxAMPS software, developed by the University of Illinois. The above variations have been taken into account on a PV module made of 72 cells. This analysis has been carried out employing a PV module mathematical model developed and implemented by th…
A novel implicit correlation for the operative temperature of a PV panel
2012
Abstract The operating temperature of a commercial PV panel strongly affects the electric power output of the devices. The prediction of the operating temperature therefore plays a central role in the economic and energy assessment of PV systems. The authors propose a new implicit correlation that takes into account the standard weather variables but also the regimen of PV panel in terms of the proximity to the maximum power points. Data coming from an experimental setup were processed by using the least squares technique. To validate the reliability of the correlation, a comparison between expected values and data from other common correlations were done. The results show that the regimen …
PV systems in the vertical walls: A comparison of innovative structures
2016
This paper presents the performance comparison of PV windows with the purpose of tracing the behavior of next-generation systems, which could favor architectonical integration. More in detail, a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) and blue and grey thin film silicon panels have been analyzed. The systems can be placed behind a window or behind a wall of glass blocks. The three generation systems are then compared in terms of both efficiency and Fill Factor.
Electrical-optical characterization of multijunction solar cells under 2000X concentration
2014
In the framework of the FAE "Fotovoltaico ad Alta Efficienza" ("High Efficiency Photovoltaic") Research Project (PO FESR Sicilia 2007/2013 4.1.1.1), we have performed electrical and optical characterizations of commercial InGaP/InGaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells (1 cm2) mounted on a prototype HCPV module, installed in Palermo (Italy). This system uses a reflective optics based on rectangular off-axis parabolic mirror with aperture 45×45 cm2 leading to a geometrical concentration ratio of 2025. In this study, we report the I-V curve measured under incident power of about 700 W/m2 resulting in an electrical power at maximum point (PMP) of 41.4 W. We also investigated the optical properties…
Higher PV Module Efficiency by a Novel CBS Bypass
2011
There is an increasing focus on reducing costs and improving efficiency for photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules as well as finding a more efficient approach to the product manufacturing. This letter introduces an innovative solution to bypass shaded PV cells instead of a traditional Schottky diode, in order to avoid overheating of cells in the case of partial shading. The goal is to reduce the power dissipation and improve the general efficiency of a PV generator. A novel device called cool bypass switch is then presented. It is made up of a Power MOS driven by a controller with the task to charge a storage capacitor. Tests and comparisons with standard Schottky diodes are then performed an…
Nanotechnology for Photovoltaic Cells and Energy Efficiency
2015
Abstract. The intent of this paper is to connect science and technology in order to demonstrate how, in the field of on photovoltaic technologies, thin film solar cells have been the focus of many research facilities in recent years that are working to decrease manufacturing costs and increase cell efficiency. New research suggests that it might be possible to add a nanoscopic relief pattern to the surface of solar cells that makes them non-reflective significantly boosting efficiency and at the same time making them highly non-stick and self-cleaning. The paper presents the challenges and approaches to engineer the active layer of the cell, in order to obtain cells made up of components as…
Know your full potential: Quantitative Kelvin probe force microscopy on nanoscale electrical devices
2018
In this study we investigate the influence of the operation method in Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) on the measured potential distribution. KPFM is widely used to map the nanoscale potential distribution in operating devices, e.g., in thin film transistors or on cross sections of functional solar cells. Quantitative surface potential measurements are crucial for understanding the operation principles of functional nanostructures in these electronic devices. Nevertheless, KPFM is prone to certain imaging artifacts, such as crosstalk from topography or stray electric fields. Here, we compare different amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) KPFM methods on a reference s…
Controlled solution-based fabrication of perovskite thin films directly on conductive substrate
2021
Abstract Organometallic perovskites are one of the most investigated materials for high-efficiency thin-film devices to convert solar energy and supply energy. In particular, methylammonium lead iodide has been used to realize thin-film perovskite solar cells, achieving an efficiency higher than 20%. Different fabrication procedures based on the spin-coating technique have been proposed, which do not ensure homogenous morphologies. In this work, we present a scalable process to fabricate methylammonium lead iodide thin films directly on conductive substrates, consisting of electrodeposition and two subsequent chemical conversions. A thorough investigation of the morphological, structural an…
Efficient Vacuum Deposited P-I-N Perovskite Solar Cells by Front Contact Optimization.
2020
Hole transport layers HTLs are of fundamental importance in perovskite solar cells PSCs , as they must ensure an efficient and selective hole extraction, and ohmic charge transfer to the corresponding electrodes. In p i n solar cells, the ITO HTL is usually not ohmic, and an additional interlayer such as MoO3 is usually placed in between the two materials by vacuum sublimation. In this work, we evaluated the properties of the MoO3 TaTm TaTm is the HTL N4,N4,N4 amp; 8243;,N4 amp; 8243; tetra [1,1 amp; 8242; biphenyl] 4 yl [1,1 amp; 8242; 4 amp; 8242;,1 amp; 8243; terphenyl] 4,4 amp; 8243; diamine hole extraction interface by selectively annealing either MoO3 prior to the deposition of TaTm o…
Phenothiazine-based dyes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells
2016
As an emerging photovoltaic technology, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted a great deal of academic and industrial interest due to their reasonably high power conversion efficiency, low material cost and facile fabrication process. Metal-free organic dyes, as one of the key components of DSSCs, play a pivotal role in light harvesting and electron injection. Among the various species of organic dyes, easily tunable 10H-phenothiazine-based dyes hold a large proportion. The electron-rich nitrogen and sulfur atoms render 10H-phenothiazine a stronger donor character than other amines, even better than triphenylamine, tetrahydroquinoline, carbazole and iminodibenzyl. On the other h…