Search results for "photovoltaicS"

Thin-Film Heterojunction by Carbon Nanotube Derivatives with Enhanced Solubility and Optical Properties

2012

MOCVD growth of CdTe on glass: analysis of in situ post-growth annealing

2004

Abstract In this paper, we analyse the growth by MOCVD of CdTe on glass substrates using in situ post-growth annealing. First, in order to perform a systematic study, polycrystalline layers of CdTe were deposited by MOCVD on glass substrates. The structure and morphology of the layers was investigated as a function of different growth parameters, temperature, VI/II precursor molar ratio and substrate position on the susceptor. An activation energy of Ek=20.7 kcal/mol was obtained from the experimental data. In order to better understand the process and the effects of different growth parameters, a numerical model that simulated the gas flow in the reactor, was developed. Secondly we analyse…

Life Cycle Assessment Performance Comparison of Small Solar Thermal Cooling Systems with Conventional Plants Assisted with Photovoltaics

2012

Abstract Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) allows for the consideration of energy consumption and environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life, from the cradle to the grave . Starting from the results obtained in the IEA SHC Task 38 framework for the LCA of small solar assisted heat driven chillers, the application of such methodology has been extended to systems with a conventional compression chiller assisted by a photovoltaic plant. This study aims to provide a more comprehensive investigation through a comparison of these two families of solar assisted cooling systems (with solar thermal or PV), which is an important topic for studies concerning the research of eff…

Life cycle performance assessment of small solar thermal cooling systems and conventional plants assisted with photovoltaics

2014

Starting from the results of a Life Cycle Assessment of small solar assisted heat driven chillers, the application of such methodology has been extended to systems with a conventional compression chiller assisted by a photovoltaic plant (PV). This study aims to provide a comprehensive compared investigation of these two families of solar assisted cooling systems (with solar thermal or PV). Results indicate that, in many cases, the systems with the PV grid connected plant performed best. In addition, two more configurations were investigated to further define the PV assisted systems, which minimise their interaction with the grid through the use of electricity storages. These systems performed…

Ester-functionalized poly(3-alkylthiophene) copolymers : synthesis, physicochemical characterization and performance in bulk heterojunction organic s…

2013

Abstract The introduction of functional moieties in the donor polymer (side chains) offers a potential pathway toward selective modification of the nanomorphology of conjugated polymer:fullerene active layer blends applied in bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaics, pursuing morphology control and solar cell stability. For this purpose, two types of poly(3-alkylthiophene) random copolymers, incorporating different amounts (10/30/50%) of ester-functionalized side chains, were efficiently synthesized using the Rieke method. The solar cell performance of the functionalized copolymers was evaluated and compared to the pristine P3HT:PCBM system. It was observed that the physicochemical and opt…

The Recent Change in the Italian Policies for Photovoltaics: Effects on the Energy Demand Coverage of Grid-Connected PV Systems Installed in Urban Co…

2016

In July 2013, the Italian photovoltaic (PV) support policies changed the feed-in tariff (FIT) mechanism and turned to a tax credits program, which is currently in force. The aim of this paper is to investigate how such a radical change has influenced the electricity demand coverage of the PV systems installed in urban contexts. A methodology, which connects the economic assessment to a detailed architectural and energy suitability analysis, was applied to some case studies to analyse the relationships between the physical parameters related to multi-storey buildings (roof shapes, number of floors and area of flats) and the most relevant economic and financial features affecting the viabilit…

Growth and defect studies of CdTe particles

2013

The paper reports the epitaxial growth of cadmium telluride (CdTe) particles by thermal deposition on cleaved planes of (001)NaCl and (001)KBr. Using high resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction it was shown that CdTe particles could have different orientation and phase (cubic or hexagonal) depending on the substrate temperature. Their most common defects are twins and stacking faults.

Vapor growth of Hg1−xCdxI2 on glass using CdTe buffer

2001

Abstract Vapor phase epitaxy (VPE) of Hg1−xCdxI2 layers on glass substrates covered by a CdTe buffer layer has been studied. The buffer layers of 2–4 μm thickness were formed by VPE using polycrystalline CdTe and Cd metal sources. The Hg1−xCdxI2 layers were grown using a (Hg1−yCdy)1−z(I2)z polycrystalline source, with a composition in the range of y=0.1–0.5 and z=0.5–0.8. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies have shown that the composition and structure of Hg1−xCdxI2 layers depend strongly on the VPE conditions. Varying the growth time and source composition, it has been possible to obtain Hg1−xCdxI2 layers with the composition x in the range from approximately 0 (HgI2…

Electro-optical characterization of ruthenium-based dye sensitized solar cells: A study of light soaking, ageing and temperature effects

2017

Abstract In this work, we report on the electro-optical characterization of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) which use ruthenium complexes as sensitizers. In particular, several kinds of measurements have been performed to study the electrical performances and the efficiency levels of the cells at different operating conditions. In detail, the measurements have been conducted at varying temperatures and hours of light soaking. Our results show that the short circuit current density J SC , the open circuit voltage V OC and the conversion efficiency η increase with the hours of light soaking, while they decrease with temperature. A thorough investigation on the light soaking process at the …

One diode circuital model of light soaking phenomena in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2018

Abstract In this work, we report on the modelling of light soaking effect on Ruthenium-based Dye Sensitized Solar cells (DSSCs). Such a phenomenon can be detected when exposing the cells at increasing hours of illumination and produces a reversible performance increase. Starting from the results obtained through the electro-optical characterization of the cells, we applied a one-diode circuital-model. Our results show a good agreement between the experimental and the simulated data, with a mean square error in the order of 10−12 and a maximum error in current lower than 0.6%. Finally such results allowed us to infer some precise trends followed by the cells main electrical parameters and of…