Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yubin Park, Bo Zhao, Shanhui Fan
Summary: The Landsberg limit represents the ultimate efficiency limit of solar energy harvesting, which can be reached by using nonreciprocal elements. A nonreciprocal multijunction solar cell has been introduced, showing that it can reach the Landsberg limit with an infinite number of layers and outperform a standard reciprocal cell with a finite number of layers. This work simplifies the device configuration needed to reach the ultimate limit of solar energy conversion and suggests a way to improve solar energy harvesting using nonreciprocity.
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
Ian Marius Peters, Carlos David Rodriguez Gallegos, Larry Lueer, Jens A. Hauch, Christoph J. Brabec
Summary: Multijunction solar cells have theoretical conversion efficiencies exceeding 60%, but technical and economic constraints limit the maximum number of junctions and corresponding efficiencies. Spectral variations and optical losses restrict the number of junctions and reduce achievable efficiencies. Sequential cell illumination architecture is more resilient to these losses. Economic considerations suggest that five junctions or less are economically ideal for most applications.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Martin Paul Ndeto, David Wafula Wekesa, Francis Njoka, Robert Kinyua
Summary: This study investigates the effect of module height, tilt, and orientation on the rate of dust deposition on PV module surfaces. It is found that north facing module surfaces have higher deposition rates in southerly winds. Modules installed in sites with abundance of anthropogenic particles experience higher efficiency degradation rates.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhihang Wang, Henry Moise, Martina Cacciarini, Mogens Brondsted Nielsen, Masa-Aki Morikawa, Nobuo Kimizuka, Kasper Moth-Poulsen
Summary: The study explores the potential of a photoswitchable molecules-based solar thermal energy storage system (MOST) and uses a multijunction device combining various photoswitches to push the efficiency limit on solar energy collection and storage. Experimental demonstration of a three-layered MOST device with different photoswitches in liquid state shows the feasibility of increasing energy capture and storage behavior by tailoring molecules. This conceptual device introduces a new approach to optimize molecular candidates for MOST, showing that significant improvements can be made by efficiently storing solar energy at specific wavelengths.
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
J. Li, A. Aierken, Y. Liu, Y. Zhuang, X. Yang, J. H. Mo, R. K. Fan, Q. Y. Chen, S. Y. Zhang, Y. M. Huang, Q. Zhang
Summary: The demands for space solar cells are continuously increasing due to the requirements for higher efficiency and better radiation resistance. III-V multijunction solar cells have become the main focus for space application nowadays, as they possess high efficiency and superb radiation resistance. New materials and structures with high efficiency are continuously developed, featuring low-cost, lightweight, flexible, and high power-to-mass ratio characteristics.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Tao Song, Charles Mack, Rafell Williams, Daniel J. Friedman, Nikos Kopidakis
Summary: This article discusses the special performance measurement points and methods of perovskite multijunctions, including the measurement of spectral response, spectrum adjustment, and protocols for measuring the power output of the device at STC. It also presents common errors and pitfalls, as well as methods for evaluating data accuracy when a spectrally adjustable solar simulator is not available. Finally, performance measurement methods are recommended for high throughput situations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Liang Fei, Yunjie Yin, Mengfan Yang, Shoufeng Zhang, Chaoxia Wang
Summary: Efficient solar energy harvesting is achieved through a visible solar storage fabric that utilizes UV-Vis-NIR wavelengths and enables real-time monitoring of energy state through color change. This fabric, which can be worn on the body, combines photochemistry thermophysics coupled energy storage and vis-NIR light harvesting to achieve high energy efficiency.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Renfei Bo, Chenxi Hu, Wenkai Fu, Xi Meng, Wei Mao
Summary: Solar air collectors with phase change material (PCM) and nocturnal thermal insulation (NTI) were used to overcome the mismatch between supply and demand time and improve thermal insulation performance. PCM changed the heat output time but glass plate thermal insulation caused heat loss and reduced efficiency. NTI reduced heat loss and increased indoor air temperature by 2.49 degrees C.
CASE STUDIES IN THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Elisa Antolin, Marius H. Zehender, Simon A. Svatek, Myles A. Steiner, Mario Martinez, Ivan Garcia, Pablo Garcia-Linares, Emily L. Warren, Adele C. Tamboli, Antonio Marti
Summary: Conventional solar cells use pn junctions as building blocks, while three-terminal heterojunction bipolar transistor solar cells utilize a bipolar transistor structure. The maximum efficiency of this solar cell is equivalent to that of a double-junction solar cell, but its minimal structure is simpler due to the absence of tunnel junctions.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Li Wan, Yulin Tan, Yang Zhao, Lingyun Lou, Zhong-Sheng Wang
Summary: The use of PFDTS as a hole transport layer can improve the power conversion efficiency of inverted perovskite solar cells, and also exhibit better air and thermal stability compared to traditional PTAA-based devices.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mahmoud B. Elsheniti, Saad Zaheer, Obida Zeitoun, Hassan Alshehri, Abdulrahman AlRabiah, Zeyad Almutairi
Summary: This study evaluates the performance of different PV cooling systems under harsh weather conditions. The results show that the PV/T-PCM system has the highest overall energy conversion efficiency and performs well in hot weather.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Tianjian Yang, Bingzhe Wang, Yinming He, Aihua Zhou, Zhichao Yao, Guichuan Xing, Youtian Tao
Summary: Triplet photovoltaic materials are rarely investigated in organic solar cells due to the lack of understanding of their role and mechanism. However, a compound named TBz3Ir has been discovered as a donor material for solar cells, showing significant improvement with a power conversion efficiency of over 11%.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Anwer B. Al-Aasam, Adnan Ibrahim, Kamaruzzaman Sopian, M. Bassam Abdulsahib, Mojtaba Dayer
Summary: The thermal performance of a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector with a twisted absorber tube and nanoparticle-enhanced phase change material (Nano-PCM) was evaluated. The photovoltaic, thermal, and combined photovoltaic thermal efficiencies were assessed using an indoor solar simulator. Circular and twisted absorber tubes with Nano-PCM were tested in two designs. Water with different volume fractions of SiC nanofluids was used as the working fluid. The highest efficiencies were achieved by the PVT-PCM with twisted tube and 0.6% nanofluids, with photovoltaic, thermal, and combined photovoltaic thermal efficiencies of 9.57, 84.74, and 94.31, respectively.
CASE STUDIES IN THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhihang Wang, Helen Holzel, Kasper Moth-Poulsen
Summary: Molecular solar thermal energy storage systems (MOST) utilize photo-switchable molecules to store and release solar energy, offering emission-free energy storage. This tutorial review provides a chemical engineering perspective on the commonly used and developed devices, aiming to inspire future developers and highlight the essential practical challenges.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alexandre W. Walker, Oliver Hoehn, Daniel N. Micha, Lukas Wagner, Henning Helmers, Andreas W. Bett, Frank Dimroth
JOURNAL OF PHOTONICS FOR ENERGY
(2015)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Germano M. Penello, Marcos H. Degani, Marcelo Z. Maialle, Rudy M. S. Kawabata, Daniel N. Micha, Mauricio P. Pires, Patricia L. Souza
IEEE JOURNAL OF QUANTUM ELECTRONICS
(2016)
Article
Energy & Fuels
E. C. Weiner, R. Jakomin, D. N. Micha, H. Xie, P. -Y. Su, L. D. Pinto, M. P. Pires, F. A. Ponce, P. L. Souza
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2018)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Claudia Lisa Schilling, Oliver Hoehn, Daniel Neves Micha, Stefan Heckelmann, Vera Klinger, Eduard Oliva, Stefan W. Glunz, Frank Dimroth
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2018)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Daniel Neves Micha, Oliver Hoehn, Eduard Oliva, Vera Klinger, Andreas W. Bett, Frank Dimroth
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2019)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lida Janeth Collazos, Maryam M. Al Huwayz, Roberto Jakomin, Daniel N. Micha, Luciana Dornelas Pinto, Rudy M. S. Kawabata, Mauricio P. Pires, Mohamed Henini, Patricia L. Souza
Summary: Investigation on electrically active defects in three InAs/GaAs quantum dots intermediate band solar cells grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy reveals the significant impact of electrically active traps on device performance, particularly the negative effects of the well-known EL2 defect on open circuit voltage and shunt resistance. Other unidentified defects were found to reduce short circuit current, contributing to increased Shockley-Read-Hall recombination. Photoluminescence results support the DLTS-based assignments.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Fernando D. Silva, Daniel N. Micha
2019 34TH SYMPOSIUM ON MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES (SBMICRO 2019)
(2019)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Ricardo T. Silvares Junior, Daniel N. Micha
2019 34TH SYMPOSIUM ON MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES (SBMICRO 2019)
(2019)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
V. R. Cunha, D. N. Micha, R. M. S. Kawabata, L. D. Pinto, M. P. Pires, P. L. Souza
2018 33RD SYMPOSIUM ON MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES (SBMICRO)
(2018)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
E. P. Herculano, R. M. Kawabata, L. D. Pinto, D. N. Micha, R. Jakomin, M. P. Pires, P. L. Souza
2018 33RD SYMPOSIUM ON MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES (SBMICRO)
(2018)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
E. Winter, D. N. Micha, R. M. S. Kawabata, L. D. Pinto, M. P. Pires, P. L. Souza
2018 33RD SYMPOSIUM ON MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES (SBMICRO)
(2018)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
R. C. Pejendino, J. E. Ruiz, E. Weiner, D. N. Micha, M. P. Pires, P. L. Souza
2017 32ND SYMPOSIUM ON MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES (SBMICRO): CHIP ON THE SANDS
(2017)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Eleonora C. Weiner, Daniel N. Micha, Roberto Jakomin, Luciana D. Pinto, Mauricio P. Pires, Patricia L. Souza
2016 IEEE 43RD PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2016)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
A. W. Walker, O. Hoehn, D. N. Micha, L. Wagner, H. Helmers, A. W. Bett, F. Dimroth
PHYSICS SIMULATION AND PHOTONIC ENGINEERING OF PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES IV
(2015)