Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tsz Hei Choi, Helen Brindley, N. Ekins-Daukes, Rodrigo Escobar
Summary: These schemes aim to accurately estimate spectrally resolved direct normal irradiance for multi-junction concentrator photovoltaic systems, particularly benefiting sites with significant coarse aerosol levels. The most sophisticated scheme demonstrated the best performance, with average bias well within calibration uncertainties.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Marc Steiner, Juan F. Martinez, Paresh Mathur, Subrata Sarkar, Gerald Siefer
Summary: A method for calculating aerosol content in the atmosphere and spectral irradiance of sunlight is introduced. It is a cost-effective method that does not require sophisticated equipment. The method demonstrates potential as a fallback strategy when regular spectral irradiance data is not available.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Waseem Iqbal, Irfan Ullah, Seoyong Shin
Summary: Energy needs have increased with global advancements and industrial revolutions. Solar energy utilization is a cost-effective, sustainable, and green solution to meet the ongoing energy demand. This paper provides an overview of the recent optical developments in concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems and presents future research directions to improve their efficiency and facilitate their growth.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Estelle Gervais, Shivenes Shammugam, Lorenz Friedrich, Thomas Schlegl
Summary: This paper evaluates the metal and metalloid requirements for next-generation photovoltaics on a global scale until 2050, highlighting the shortage of gallium, indium, arsenic, bismuth, and selenium. Strategies to mitigate risks, such as resource efficiency and alternative production processes, are discussed. Concerns are raised over the sustainability of multijunction solar cell technologies due to potential material shortages, calling for stronger integration of sustainable material use considerations in technological development.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qiyao Guo, Yuanyuan Zhao, Qunwei Tang, Jialong Duan
Summary: This study demonstrates that the efficiency of carbon-electrode, all-inorganic perovskite solar cells can be significantly enhanced under high irradiation conditions. By integrating a thermoelectric generator into the solar cell, the heat generated by the carbon electrode is utilized to further improve the efficiency.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xinxian Yu, Chun Chen
Summary: This study developed a method to couple spectral-dependent radiative cooling with building energy simulations in EnergyPlus, improving the accuracy of energy performance assessment for buildings with radiative cooling technology.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sridhar Sripadmanabhan Indira, Chockalingam Aravind Vaithilingam, Ramsundar Sivasubramanian, Kok-Keong Chong, R. Saidur, Kulasekharan Narasingamurthi
Summary: This study introduces a hybrid compound parabolic concentrator and parabolic trough concentrator system for concentrator photovoltaic/thermal and hybrid concentrator photovoltaic/thermalthermoelectric generator applications. The research discusses the design and optical analysis of the system, evaluating the optical efficiency and performance under different tracking modes. The results show that the proposed hybrid system achieves a higher optical efficiency compared to standard systems, especially when utilizing dual-axis tracking.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jose M. Saura, Pedro M. Rodrigo, Florencia M. Almonacid, Daniel Chemisana, Eduardo F. Fernandez
Summary: The study investigates the impact of non-uniform illumination on triple junction solar cells equipped with different optical systems, finding that the behavior of refractive and reflective systems differs. It also highlights the importance of the concentrator-to-receiver distance as a critical design parameter.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Geoffrey S. Kinsey, Nicholas C. Riedel-Lyngskaer, Alonso-Abella Miguel, Matthew Boyd, Marilia Braga, Chunhui Shou, Raul R. Cordero, Benjamin C. Duck, Christopher J. Fell, Sarah Feron, George E. Georghiou, Nicholas Habryl, Jim J. John, Nipon Ketjoy, Gabriel Lopez, Atse Louwen, Elijah Loyiso Maweza, Takashi Minemoto, Ankit Mittal, Cecile Molto, Guilherme Neves, Gustavo Nofuentes Garrido, Matthew Norton, Basant R. Paudyal, Enio Bueno Pereira, Yves Poissant, Lawrence Pratt, Qu Shen, Thomas Reindl, Marcus Rennhofer, Carlos D. Rodriguez-Gallegos, Ricardo Ruther, Wilfried van Sark, Miguel A. Sevillano-Bendezu, Hubert Seigneur, Jorge A. Tejero, Marios Theristis, Jan A. Tofflinger, Carolin Ulbrich, Waldeir Amaral Vilela, Xiangao Xia, Marcia A. Yamasoe
Summary: In photovoltaic power ratings, the standard solar spectrum AM1.5 is insufficient for comparing solar cells with different spectral responses. Ground-level measurements of spectral irradiance collected worldwide provide a sampling of geographic, seasonal, and diurnal variation, allowing for more accurate analysis of solar energy utility.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yasaman Tavakol-Moghaddam, Yadollah Saboohi, Amirhossein Fathi
Summary: This paper presents a systematic approach to design an imaging dish for a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system with the aim of minimizing exergy destruction. The approach includes designing a parametric dish using imaging optics and solving a differential equation numerically, estimating the output energy and exergy using Monte Carlo simulation, and finding the optimal design parameters to minimize exergy destruction through an optimization algorithm. The results show that the optimal design allows for a CPV with a concentration factor of 100-150 and a temperature of 1019 degrees C, with estimated energy and exergy efficiencies of 74.07% and 66.36%, respectively.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Andrea Farina, Alice Carlotto, Stefano Varas, Alessandro Chiasera, Silvia Maria Pietralunga
Summary: We introduce the conceptual design of an optical core for a four-terminal photovoltaic module that can split and guide light, making it suitable for bifacial operation. The performance of the module was analyzed using a ray-tracing software, showing that it can effectively collect both direct and diffused solar irradiance. With a low-concentration design, the module achieves high optical efficiency and can be used in various applications.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guijun Chen, Yutao Wang, Dongyue Jiang, Hongchen Wang, Kun Wang, Jie Tan, Mingyang Sun, Yongchen Song, Minyi Xu
Summary: A programmable compound prism (PCP) powered by triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is proposed in this study for solar beam steering, triggering power generation in multi-junction solar cells. Experimental results show that the proposed technology can significantly improve the power generation efficiency of multi-junction solar cells.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Julia S. van der Burgt, Susan A. Rigter, Nelson de Gaay Fortman, Erik C. Garnett
Summary: A system that overcomes the limitations of solar tracking and poor absorption of diffuse sunlight by utilizing light-induced halide segregation in mixed halide perovskite films is presented. By using a monolayer of silica microspheres to focus direct sunlight, a low bandgap region is formed in the focal point through light-induced phase segregation, resulting in an increase in voltage characteristic for concentrating systems. Diffuse sunlight is still absorbed by the high bandgap material, avoiding the loss of diffuse sunlight seen in conventional concentrators. The concept shows a 6.6% absolute increase in power conversion efficiency compared to the film without microspheres, indicating the promising potential for a self-optimizing concentrating system.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Andrea Cordaro, Ralph Mu''ller, Stefan Wil Tabernig, Nico Tucher, Patrick Schygulla, Oliver Ho''hn, Benedikt Bla''si, Albert Polman
Summary: This study introduces an integrated near-field/far-field light trapping scheme to enhance the efficiency of silicon-based multijunction solar cells in the near-IR range. By designing a nanopatterned diffractive silver back-reflector, the multiple scattered light is efficiently trapped and reflection and plasmonic absorption are minimized. Experimental results demonstrate improved external quantum efficiency and power conversion efficiency on Si TOPCon solar cells.
Article
Thermodynamics
Jose M. Saura, Daniel Chemisana, Pedro M. Rodrigo, Florencia M. Almonacid, Eduardo F. Fernandez
Summary: The study shows that shading causes additional spatial and spectral non-uniformities, which can be reduced by using homogenizers, with SILO-Pyramid providing the best results.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Myles A. Steiner, Ryan M. France, Jeronimo Buencuerpo, John F. Geisz, Michael P. Nielsen, Andreas Pusch, Waldo J. Olavarria, Michelle Young, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes
Summary: High-efficiency solar cells are crucial for various applications, with lower energy bandgaps achieved through the use of multiple quantum wells. Incorporating strain-balanced GaAsP/GaInAs QWs into solar cells has led to increased efficiency.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zibo Zhou, Yajie Jiang, Ned Ekins-Daukes, Mark Keevers, Martin A. Green
Summary: This study describes three textured glass surfaces and evaluates their optical and thermal performance, finding that these surfaces can relatively improve optical transmission and mid-infrared emissivity. The currently most favored inverted pyramid texture may not be the most effective based on optical and radiative enhancement or self-cleaning properties.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Tomah Sogabe, Chao-Yu Hung, Ryo Tamaki, Stanko Tomic, Koichi Yamaguchi, Ned Ekins-Daukes, Yoshitaka Okada
Summary: This paper introduces the concept of a novel "ratchet type" intermediate band solar cell, utilizing long-lifetime rare-earth ion luminescence centers in Erbium-doped GaAs. Temperature-dependent differential external quantum efficiency studies show a significant contribution from Er3+ luminescence centers in this system. Simulation results indicate that the long lifetime energy transfer mechanism of Er3+ ions plays a key role in the formation of the "ratchet type" intermediate band solar cell.
COMMUNICATIONS PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Andreas Pusch, Stephen P. Bremner, Murad J. Y. Tayebjee, Nicholas J. Ekins Daukes
Summary: Efficiency limits of multiple exciton generation (MEG) solar cells need to consider Auger recombination, challenging the assumption of effective separation of timescales in traditional quasi-equilibrium models. A non-equilibrium model can offer more accurate assessment of MEG solar cell performance by taking into account Auger recombination impact.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yajie Jiang, Michael P. Nielsen, Alex J. Baldacchino, Martin A. Green, Dane R. McCamey, Murad J. Y. Tayebjee, Timothy W. Schmidt, Nicholas. J. Ekins-Daukes
Summary: The economic value of a photovoltaic installation is determined by its lifespan and power conversion efficiency. Silicon tandem and MEG-enhanced silicon cell architectures result in lower cell operating temperatures, increasing device lifetime compared to standard c-Si cells, and offer additional advantages.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Masafumi Yamaguchi, Frank Dimroth, John F. Geisz, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes
Summary: High-performance solar cells, particularly multi-junction solar cells using different bandgap semiconductor materials, are considered a promising pathway towards achieving high power efficiency at low cost. III-V semiconductor materials have been shown to provide an effective system for fabricating multi-junction solar cells that can span the solar spectrum, with record efficiencies demonstrating their potential. Other materials like perovskites are also being explored for their lower manufacturing costs. The development and potential market applications of multi-junction solar cells, including III-V/Si, II-VI/Si, cadmium chalcogenide/Si, and perovskite/Si tandem solar cells, are discussed based on scientific and technological arguments.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Elham M. Gholizadeh, Shyamal K. K. Prasad, Lara Gillan, Michael P. Nielsen, N. J. Ekins-Daukes, Dane R. McCamey, Murad J. Y. Tayebjee, Timothy W. Schmidt
Summary: The exciton dynamics of violanthrone-79 were investigated in solution and in the solid state. In solution, the photoprepared singlet showed strong ground-state bleach and stimulated emission features, while the triplet state exhibited only a narrow and weak ground-state bleach when sensitized. In solid films, the excited singlet survived for up to 200 ps, leading to a long-lived transient absorption spectrum reminiscent of the triplet in solution.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mengdi Liu, Udo Romer, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes, Alison Lennon
Summary: This study compares the impact of different light management finger designs on the optical performance of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) systems. The results show that shaped, light diverting metal fingers can significantly improve the optical efficiency of the system.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Michael P. Nielsen, Andreas Pusch, Muhammad H. Sazzad, Phoebe M. Pearce, Peter J. Reece, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes
Summary: Thermoradiative diodes generate power through the emission of light instead of absorption, and have potential applications in night-sky power generation and waste heat recovery. This study measures the electro-optical characteristics of HgCdTe photodiodes and highlights the need for high radiative efficiencies in mid-infrared semiconductors for thermoradiative power generation.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Stefan W. Tabernig, Anastasia H. Soeriyadi, Udo Romer, Andreas Pusch, Dimitry Lamers, Matthias Klaus Juhl, David N. R. Payne, Michael P. Nielsen, Albert Polman, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes
Summary: Shading losses have always been a challenge in photovoltaic devices, but this study presents a simple and scalable fabrication method to minimize shading losses while achieving large front metal coverage. The use of soft imprint lithography allows for the creation of trenches that enable optical cloaking, resulting in improved efficiency in photovoltaic cells.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Myles A. Steiner, Ryan M. France, Jeronimo Buencuerpo, John F. Geisz, Michael P. Nielsen, Andreas Pusch, Waldo J. Olavarria, Michelle Young, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes
Summary: The study demonstrates single and dual junction solar cells with multiple quantum wells to extend photon absorption range and achieve high efficiency. The research discusses device architecture, performance principles, and pathways for further improvement.
2021 IEEE 48TH PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2021)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Mengdi Liu, Udo Romer, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes, Alison Lennon
Summary: The study investigated the influence of secondary optical elements (SOEs) in CPV systems on optical flux and angular distribution, comparing refractive SOEs with straight and tapered sides through ray-tracing simulations. Results showed that both types of SOEs can homogenize the flux distribution at the receiver, but the range of ray angles incident on the solar cell receiver differed between the homogenizer with straight edges and the one with tapered sides, which has significant implications for solar cell metal contact geometry design.
2021 IEEE 48TH PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2021)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Mengdi Liu, Anastasia H. Soeriyadi, Ning Song, Pei-Chieh Hsiao, Udo Romer, Ned Ekins-Daukes, Alison Lennon
2020 47TH IEEE PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2020)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Andreas Pusch, Milos Dubajic, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes, Stephen Bremner
2020 47TH IEEE PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2020)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes, Muhammad H. Sazzad, Lamees Al Kiyumi, Michael P. Nielsen, Peter Reece, Alex Mellor, Martin A. Green, Andreas Pusch
2020 47TH IEEE PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2020)