For decades, solar-cell efficiencies have remained below the thermodynamic limits. However, new approaches to light management that systematically minimize thermodynamic losses will enable ultrahigh efficiencies previously considered impossible.

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Photonic design principles for ultrahigh-efficiency photovoltaics

The use of solar energy in recent years has reached a remarkable edge. The continuous research for an alternative power source due to the perceived scarcity of fuel fossils is its driving force. It has become even more popular as the cost of fossil fuel continues to rise. The earth receives in just 1 h, more energy from the sun than what we consume in the whole world for 1 year. Its application was proven to be most economical, as most systems in individual uses requires but a few kilowatt of power. This paper reviews the present day solar thermal technologies. Performance analyses of existing designs (study), mathematical simulation (design) and fabrication of innovative designs with suggested improvements (development) have been discussed in this paper.

A review of solar thermal technologies

Global energy demand and environmental concerns are the driving force for use of alternative, sustainable, and clean energy sources. Solar energy is the inexhaustible and CO2-emission-free energy source worldwide. The Sun provides 1.4 � 10 5 TW power as received on the surface of the Earth and about 3.6 � 10 4 TW of this power is usable. In 2012, world power consumption was 17 TW, which is less than 3.6 � 10 4 TW. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are the basic element for converting solar energy into electricity. PV cell technologies, energy conversion efficiency, economic analysis, energy policies, environmental impact, various applications, prospects, and progress have been comprehensively reviewed and presented in this paper. This work compiles the latest literature (i.e. journal articles, conference proceedings, and reports, among others) on PV power generation, economic analysis, environmental impact, and policies to increase public awareness. From the review, it was found that PV is an easy way to capture solar energy where PV based power generation has also rapidly increased.

/pdf/global-prospects-progress-policies-and-environmental-impact-56g8a201aj.pdf

Global Prospects, Progress, Policies and Environmental Impact of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation

With the aim of utilizing the infrared region of solar radiation to improve solar cell performance, significant progress, including theoretical analysis and experimental achievement, has been made in the field of up-conversion for photovoltaic applications. This Research News article reviews recent progress in the development of rear-earth (RE) ion doped up-conversion materials for solar cell applications. In addition, new trends for RE-ion-doped phosphors are briefly discussed, among them trivalent RE-ion-doped up-conversion materials for organic solar cell applications.

Rare-earth ion doped up-conversion materials for photovoltaic applications.

Performance of a concentrating photovoltaic/thermal solar collector

The spectral distribution of global irradiance is measured in the optimal tilt (45° south) plane of array for the calender year 2020 in Grimstad, Norway. In this work the spectral distribution is quantified in terms of the Blue Fraction (BF). The uniqueness of BF has been tested and reported using the same methodology used for uniqueness verification of average photon energy (APE). The results show that the coefficient of correlation between the APE and BF was 0.98, meaning a possible bijective relation between these two parameters whereby both indicate a similar spectrum. The percentage contribution of integrated irradiance (Rc) was calculated for 25 nm wavelength bins for the BF region 350-650 nm. Spectra are grouped by their BF value in steps of 0.02, each group containing measurements falling within ±0.01 of the central value. The corresponding standard deviation (SD) varied from 0.05% to 0.21% for the spectra denoted by BF values from 0.44 to 0.60. The coefficient of variation (CV) was found as high as 12% for the wavelengths below 450 nm while it remained relatively low from 450-650 nm, meaning a low dispersion of Rc values around the mean value. The results indicate that the uniquenss of BF can be statistically confirmed for the measured wavelength range.

Uniqueness verification of blue fraction as a parameter of spectral irradiance quantification

The present invention provides an apparatus (10) for plasma treatment of a substrate surface (16). The apparatus comprises a plasma source (12) for generating a plasma and a plasma-control electrode (14). The apparatus further comprises a drive means for effecting a relative movement between the plasma-control electrode (14) and the plasma source (12) or of the plasma-control electrode (14) and the plasma source (12) relative to the substrate (16). The plasma-control electrode (14) is located adjacent the substrate (16) to facilitate treatment of the substrate surface (16) in a controlled manner.

An apparatus for plasma treatment

Temperature Profiles of Field-Aged Photovoltaic Modules Affected by Optical Degradation

COST Action entitled PEARL PV aims at analyzing data of monitored PV systems installed all over Europe to quantitatively evaluate the long-term performance and reliability of these PV systems. For this purpose, a data bank is being implemented that can contain vast amounts of data, which will enable systematic performance analyses in combination with simulations. This paper presents the development process of this data bank.

Anne Gerd Imenes

Papers

Uniqueness verification of blue fraction as a parameter of spectral irradiance quantification

An apparatus for plasma treatment

Temperature Profiles of Field-Aged Photovoltaic Modules Affected by Optical Degradation

Development of a big data bank for PV monitoring data, analysis and simulation in COST Action ‘PEARL PV’