scholarly journals An Overview of Photovoltaic Power Systems

1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Backus
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Development Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cell Arrays ◽  
Output Concentration ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Multiple Cells

The United States is supporting a very aggressive research and development program in the field of photovoltaics. The goals of this program are to reduce the cost of solar cell arrays to a capital cost of 50¢/peak watt by the year 1986. The long-term goals are to achieve 10 to 30¢/peak watt by 1990 or 2000. The photovoltaic community is optimistic that the 1986 goals will be met with the use of silicon solar cells. The longer term goal may require the development of new thin film photovoltaic devices. As the price of solar cell arrays continues to decrease; the number of applications that are economically justified increases. The present production rates of photovoltaic arrays are close to 1 MW of production per year. The maximum expected efficiencies of 20 to 25 percent have already been achieved. Thus, cost reduction must come about through producing cells per unit area more cheaply. A separate alternative for producing low cost electricity from solar cells is to concentrate sunlight onto the cell, thus reducing the area of the cell per unit electrical output. Concentration systems also make available the option of using multiple cells to increase the overall conversion of sunlight to electricity. One two-cell concentration system has already demonstrated 28.5 percent efficiency.

Nanotechnology for Photovoltaic Energy

2014 ◽  
pp. 319-346
Author(s):  
Salahuddin Qazi ◽  
Farhan A. Qazi
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Photovoltaic Cells ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Silicon Based

Solar radiation is plentiful and a clean source of power. However, despite the first practical use of silicon based solar cell more than 50 years ago, it has not been exploited to its full potential due to the high cost of electrical conversion on a per Watt basis. Many new kinds of photovoltaic cells such as multi-junction solar cells dye –sensitized solar cells and organic solar cell incorporating element of nanotechnology have been proposed to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost. Nanotechnology, in the form of quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes, and grapheme, has been shown to enhance absorption of sunlight, makes low cost flexible solar panels and increases the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. The chapter reviews the state of current photovoltaic cells and challenges it presents. It also discusses the use of nanotechnology in the application of photovoltaic cells and future research directions to improve the efficiency of solar cells and reduce the cost.

Nanotechnology for Photovoltaic Energy

2013 ◽  
pp. 163-191
Author(s):  
Salahuddin Qazi ◽  
Farhan A. Qazi
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Photovoltaic Cells ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Silicon Based

Solar radiation is plentiful and a clean source of power. However, despite the first practical use of silicon based solar cell more than 50 years ago, it has not been exploited to its full potential due to the high cost of electrical conversion on a per Watt basis. Many new kinds of photovoltaic cells such as multi-junction solar cells dye –sensitized solar cells and organic solar cell incorporating element of nanotechnology have been proposed to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost. Nanotechnology, in the form of quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes, and grapheme, has been shown to enhance absorption of sunlight, makes low cost flexible solar panels and increases the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. The chapter reviews the state of current photovoltaic cells and challenges it presents. It also discusses the use of nanotechnology in the application of photovoltaic cells and future research directions to improve the efficiency of solar cells and reduce the cost.

The Research on Solar Cell of a Novel Ribbon Silicon Material

2013 ◽  
Vol 676 ◽  
pp. 103-107
Author(s):  
Jian Gong Li ◽  
Peng Wu ◽  
Peng Yu ◽  
Shuai Li
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Polycrystalline Silicon ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Metallurgical Grade Silicon ◽  
Silicon Material ◽  
Theoretical Support ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Diffusion Of Impurities

Ribbon silicon material is specially designed for solar cell wafers. In this paper, a novel ribbon silicon material “dipping method” has been designed in order to lower the cost of solar cell. The principle and procedure of dipping method were described. In addition, the diffusion of impurities in the silicon wafer and its influence on the efficiency of solar cells were investigated. The photovoltaic performance of polycrystalline silicon solar cells which were based on the metallurgical grade silicon substrate with the thickness of 600μm, was simulated by AMPS1-D software. And some import parameters were obtained including I-V characteristic, 17.004% conversion efficiency. This artic is provided theoretical support to the industrial production of solar cells by dipping method, and it will open a new road to production low cost solar cell.

scholarly journals Nanowires for High-Efficiency, Low-Cost Solar Photovoltaics

Crystals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunyan Zhang ◽  
Huiyun Liu
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Energy Source ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Photovoltaics ◽  
The Cost

Solar energy is abundant, clean, and renewable, making it an ideal energy source. Solar cells are a good option to harvest this energy. However, it is difficult to balance the cost and efficiency of traditional thin-film solar cells, whereas nanowires (NW) are far superior in making high-efficiency low-cost solar cells. Therefore, the NW solar cell has attracted great attention in recent years and is developing rapidly. Here, we review the great advantages, recent breakthroughs, novel designs, and remaining challenges of NW solar cells. Special attention is given to (but not limited to) the popular semiconductor NWs for solar cells, in particular, Si, GaAs(P), and InP.

scholarly journals Nanostructured Inorganic Solar Cells

Green ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin P. Musselman ◽  
Lukas Schmidt-Mende
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
The Cost

AbstractRecent progress in the development of nanostructured inorganic solar cells is reviewed. Nanostructuring of inorganic solar cells offers the possibility of reducing the cost of photovoltaics by allowing smaller amounts of lower-grade photovoltaic semiconductors to be used. Various fabrication methods used to nanostructure traditional photovoltaic semiconductors are detailed and the performance of resulting devices is discussed. The synthesis of solar cells by solution-based methods using less traditional, abundant materials is identified as a promising route to widescale photovoltaic electricity generation, and nanostructured solar cell geometries are highlighted as essential in this approach. Templating and self-assembling methods used to produce appropriate low-cost nanostructures from solutions are detailed, and the performance of preliminary ultra-low-cost cells made with these structures is reviewed.

scholarly journals Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Performance Analysis Based on Series Circuit

2015 ◽  
Vol 773-774 ◽  
pp. 691-695
Author(s):  
M.F.L. Abdullah ◽  
Anika Zafiah M. Rus
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cell ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
In Series ◽  
Renewable Material ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
The Cost

Solar power system is one of the renewable sources that will be used to produce electricity because of its characteristics such as consumed free source of sun light, less maintenance needed for the system and free of charge for usage electricity. One of the main disadvantages is the initial cost of the equipment used to harness the suns energy especially the cost of solar panel. In Malaysia, the cost of solar panel are relatively high because the solar panel are imported from overseas and the materials used in existing solar panel is very expensive. Therefore the proposed solar cells that will be used is natural dye sensitized with photovoltaic material. The scope of this research is to full fill the demand of low cost and to abundance, renewable material that could be used for energy conversion solar cell. The circuit connections of solar cells are in series and the performance of the dye sensitized cells would be based on the intensity of the sunlight illumination. The measurement of solar cell are conducted using 10 dye sensitizied cells connected in series circuit arrangement and the performance for this design are evaluated based on the generated potential (V) upon sunlight illumination at noon and evening for certain period of time. The result obtained from this research shows that the performance of series circuit connection of the dye sensitized solar cell is comparable with the silicon solar cell.

scholarly journals Textbook Alternative Incentive Programs at U.S. Universities: A Review of the Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 105-123
Author(s):  
Ashley Lierman
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
The United States ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Impact Measurement ◽  
Grant Programs ◽  
Incentive Programs ◽  
Financial Investments ◽  
Faculty Time ◽  
The Cost

Objective – This article reviews current literature on incentive grant programs for textbook alternatives at universities and their libraries. Of particular interest in this review are common patterns and factors in the design, development, and implementation of these initiatives at the programmatic level, trends in the results of assessment of programs, and unique elements of certain institutions’ programs. Methods – The review was limited in scope to studies in scholarly and professional publications of textbook alternative incentive programs at universities within the United States of America, published within ten years prior to the investigation. A comprehensive literature search was conducted and then subjected to analysis for trends and patterns. Results – Studies of these types of programs have reported substantial total cost savings to affected students compared to the relatively small financial investments that are required to establish them. The majority of incentive programs were led by university libraries, although the most successful efforts appear to have been broadly collaborative in nature. Programs are well-regarded by students and faculty, with benefits to pedagogy and access to materials beyond the cost savings to students. The field of replacing textbooks with alternatives is still evolving, however, and the required investment of faculty time and effort is still a barrier, while inconsistent approaches to impact measurement make it difficult to compare programs or establish best practices. Conclusion – Overall, the literature shows evidence of significant benefits from incentive programs at a relatively low cost. Furthermore, these programs are opportunities to establish cross-campus partnerships and collaborations, and collaboration seems to be effective at helping to reduce barriers and increase impact. Further research is needed on similar programs at community colleges and at higher education institutions internationally.

scholarly journals Dynamics of Agriculture

1966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken R. Tefertiller
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cost Of Living ◽  
Average Consumer ◽  
Low Costs ◽  
The Cost

Agriculture is one of the Nation’s most efficient industries. The cost of living for the average consumer would be considerably higher today without the low cost of food supplied by United States agriculture. This is particularly significant at a time when we hear so much about poverty in the United States and in other countries. Had it not been for the extremely low costs of food, there would be many more poverty stricken families today. Paper published with permission.

Organic and nano-structured composite photovoltaics: An overview

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 3167-3179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie E. Gledhill ◽  
Brian Scott ◽  
Brian A. Gregg
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Organic Semiconductors ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Organic Materials ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Charge Generation ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Excitonic Solar Cells

Organic photovoltaic devices are poised to fill the low-cost, low power niche in the solar cell market. Recently measured efficiencies of solid-state organic cells are nudging 5% while Grätzel’s more established dye-sensitized solar cell technology is more than double this. A fundamental understanding of the excitonic nature of organic materials is an essential backbone for device engineering. Bound electron-hole pairs, “excitons,” are formed in organic semiconductors on photo-absorption. In the organic solar cell, the exciton must diffuse to the donor–accepter interface for simultaneous charge generation and separation. This interface is critical as the concentration of charge carriers is high and recombination here is higher than in the bulk. Nanostructured engineering of the interface has been utilized to maximize organic materials properties, namely to compensate the poor exciton diffusion lengths and lower mobilities. Excitonic solar cells have different limitations on their open-circuit photo-voltages due to these high interfacial charge carrier concentrations, and their behavior cannot be interpreted as if they were conventional solar cells. This article briefly reviews some of the differences between excitonic organic solar cells and conventional inorganic solar cells and highlights some of the technical strategies used in this rapidly progressing field, whose ultimate aim is for organic solar cells to be a commercial reality.

Low-Cost Lightweight Thin Film Solar Concentrators

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gani B. Ganapathi ◽  
Art Palisoc ◽  
Bill Nesmith ◽  
Gyula Greschik ◽  
Koorosh Gidanian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Technology Development ◽  
Deep Structure ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Rigid Foam ◽  
Bird Droppings ◽  
Load Carrying ◽  
Pointing Accuracy ◽  
The Cost

A low-cost rigid foam-based concentrator technology development program was funded by the DOE SunShot Initiative to meet installed cost goals of $75/m2 vs. current costs of $200–250/m2. The cost reduction in this approach focuses primarily on designing a mirror module with a rigid foam center with stainless steel facesheets and reflective film. The low mechanical strength of the foam is compensated by optimizing the densities and dimensions to meet pointing accuracy requirements of 4 milliradians (mrad) in 27mph winds. Two alpha concentrators were built to validate the mirror module manufacturing process and one of them was accurate to 0.15 mrad RMS vs. the design requirement of 1 mrad RMS. To understand the lifetime reliability of the panels, fifteen 4-inch square samples were exposed to various environmental conditions including acid rain, bird droppings, thermal cycling, and the final results indicated no loss in reflectivity of 95%. UV testing will be performed in the next phase. Three mechanical structure options covering the range of large multi-faceted heliostats with diagonal load carrying elements, small single facet heliostats low to the ground and optimized truss-based deep structure designs were analyzed with FEA and analytically; results indicated a significant cost benefit (>2×) for the truss-based design over the other options. Other elements such as the controls, actuators were also considered in th analysis with vendor data. Cost trades were performed for heliostats ranging from 10m2 to 250m2. The results indicated a broad installed cost minimum around $113/m2 for heliostat sizes ranging from 80 m2 to 130 m2. Additional cost saving approaches will be considered in Phase 2 of the project.

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