Photovoltaic Efficiency Research Articles

The Development and Evaluation of Hybrid Solar Cells Based on Perovskites and CIGS with Different ETL for Increased Photovoltaic Efficiency Using SCAPS-1D.

The SCAPS-1D method has been utilized to simulate a solar panel with two absorber layers computationally. Implementing the hole transporter in the current work is minimized by employing two absorber layers. Structure of lead-based perovskites Simulations are conducted using copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and strontium arsenide iodide (Sr3AsI3). By combining perovskites' high absorption coefficient and tunable bandgap with the stability and improved charge transport capabilities of CIGS, these bilayer solar cells can overcome the limitations of each material. Several factors are considered to attain maximum and enhanced efficiency, including absorber thickness, series-shunt resistance, acceptor density, defect densities, J-V & Q-E, and operating temperature. The structure of the optimized device Al/Sr3AsI3/CIGS/SnS2/Ni produces excellent output with an efficiency of 35.91%, a voltage in the open circuit (VOC) of 0.998 V, a fill factor (FF) of 86.60%, and current in a short circuit (JSC) of 41.54 mA/cm2. This study demonstrates the promise of perovskite/CIGS double-layers as a means of achieving stable, scalable, and highly efficient thin-film photovoltaics. Comparing the results with previously published experimental data showed that the device might achieve excellent performance by fine-tuning various absorber layer settings. Therefore, this gadget structure is amenable to experimental modeling for future investigation. The simulation's findings offer helpful suggestions for developing double-absorber solar panels. This paper examines the latest developments in perovskite/CIGS bilayers, addressing issues with scalability, long-term stability, and material compatibility. The findings show that, with further modification, perovskite/CIGS bilayer cells offer a lot of potential for next-generation solar power applications.

Star-shaped small-molecule hole-transport materials for dopant-free perovskite solar cells.

Perovskite solar cells hold great potential for efficient photovoltaics, with hole-transporting materials being key to their success. We synthesized three new conjugated small-molecule HTMs-DPAMes-TT, TPA-TT, and PhFF-TT-and evaluated them in n-i-p PSCs. These molecules, featuring triphenylamine or trifluorobenzene cores, were analyzed in terms of their optical, electrochemical, thermal, and charge transport properties. DPAMes-TT and TPA-TT exhibited narrow bandgaps (2.66 eV and 2.61 eV), HOMO levels well-aligned with MAPbI3's valence band (-5.28 eV and -5.30 eV vs. -5.4 eV), and high hole mobilities. In contrast, PhFF-TT with trifluorobenzene core had a wider bandgap (2.95 eV), a less favorable HOMO (-5.14 eV), and signs of J-aggregation, impairing charge transport. PSCs with DPAMes-TT delivered the highest efficiency (19.3%), outperforming TPA-TT (18.5%) and the PTAA reference (18.1%). PhFF-TT devices, however, reached only 12.6% limited by recombination and poor interface quality, as revealed by photoluminescence. Charge transport studies confirmed DPAMes-TT's superior hole extraction, while PhFF-TT suffered higher recombination losses. These findings show how molecular design shapes PSC performance, with amine-based HTMs like DPAMes-TT and TPA-TT excelling over trifluorobenzene-based HTMs.

Implications of Climate Change on PV Generation in Semi‑Arid Zones

Adopting photovoltaic (PV) solar energy in regions with abundant sunshine offers a promising pathway for transitioning towards renewable energy sources. However, deploying PV solar energy faces challenges posed by climate change, which can potentially undermine its effectiveness and reliability. One significant concern is the impact of rising temperatures on the efficiency of PV panels, which can lead to reduced electricity production. This paper investigates the potential effects of climate change on PV production in the Cold Desert (BWk) Climate Zone through comprehensive PV performance simulations. Utilizing PVsyst software, we conducted an in-depth analysis of 1MW PV systems under current climate conditions and projected future scenarios in 2060. Our assessment focused on understanding how rising temperatures may affect PV performance in the BWk Climate Zone, characterized by cold winters and hot summers with low precipitation. Figure shows a world map illustrating the current arid, desert, hot (BWh) climate zones and their projected expansion into adjacent areas, potentially turning cold desert (BWk) zones into hotter, arid regions. Orange regions: represent the current BWh climate zones. Red dashed regions: indicate the hypothetical future expansion areas of BWh zones. The simulation results revealed a slight decrease in global horizontal irradiation (GlobHor) from 2230.4 kWh/m² to 2154.8 kWh/m² and a corresponding increase in horizontal diffuse irradiation (DiffHor) from 488.51 kWh/m² to 553.15 kWh/m². The ambient temperature (T_Amb) rose from an annual average of 18.51 °C to 20.07 °C. Despite these climatic changes, the global incident irradiation on the collector plane (GlobInc) and the effective global irradiation corrected for IAM and shadings (GlobEff) showed only minor reductions. Consequently, the energy injected into the grid (E_Grid) experienced a marginal decrease, from 33928.701 kWh to 33856.461 kWh annually. These findings indicate that PV production is expected to decrease, but the reduction is relatively minor, amounting to an insignificant value of 0.021 %. This finding suggests that while climate change may impact PV efficiency due to increased temperatures, the overall effect on PV production in the BWk Climate Zone remains minimal.

Highly designed photovoltaic modules using black back sheet with IR reflection

Abstract The purpose of this study is to improve both the design of photovoltaic (PV) modules and efficiency by utilizing long-wavelength light. A black back sheet (BS) with IR reflection was examined for this purpose. In this study, damp heat (DH) test, thermal cycle (TC) test, and light irradiation test were carried out for crystalline Si PV modules using black BS without light reflection, black BS with IR reflection, and conventional white BS. External quantum efficiency (EQE) of perovskite/Si tandem PV modules were measured for confirming the effective utilization of long-wavelength light. Suppression of decrease in both open-circuit voltage and fill factor was achieved using black BS with IR reflection by mitigating elevation of cell temperature. These results suggested the long-term reliability of black BS with IR reflection against DH test, TC test, and light irradiation test, and its effectiveness for perovskite/Si tandem PV modules.

Improve the Photoelectric Properties of Transparent Insulating Films Through Simple Mechanical Pressure Treatment

ABSTRACTIn this study, a transparent insulating film that possesses high visible light transmittance, high resistivity, and excellent resistance to potential‐induced degradation (PID) is developed via a simple and innovative physical modification technique. By employing mechanical pressure treatment (MPT), the internal porosity of the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) film is decreased. This results in a 0.5% increase in average transmittance and a theoretically calculated enhancement in photovoltaic (PV) cell efficiency of over 0.1%. Additionally, the pores of the EVA film become denser, effectively suppressing leakage current carriers induced by structural defects. As a result, the volume resistivity of the EVA film is significantly improved, with increments of 36% and 48% at room temperature and 60°C, respectively. Compared to conventional chemical modification approaches, this MPT technique significantly improves the defects of the film during the film‐forming process without altering its structure or negatively affecting the properties of the packaging material. This method also demonstrates a reduction in the migration of Na+ from the PV module glass to the cell, thereby improving the performance of the module. When integrated with light‐induced recovery (LIR) encapsulation protocols, the optimized EVA film represents a promising and cost‐effective solution for mitigating PID in commercial PV systems. This advancement provides critical insights into defect engineering for polymeric encapsulants while offering industrially scalable processing advantages.

Enhancing photovoltaic performance and efficiency by innovative cooling system of sawdust: Experimental investigation

AbstractPhotovoltaic (PV) panel overheating conditions represent a crucial problem since temperature elevations above standard test conditions (STC) decrease productivity and operational lifespan. The research explores experimental methods to reduce PV panel working temperatures. A water spray cooling system operated on natural sawdust fibers, which were positioned behind the photovoltaic (PV) system surface. The cooling process achieves heat dispersion from PV surfaces through evaporation. Testing was done on three PV modules under standard conditions, including a bare PV system, a (PV/W) system cooled by dushing way, and a third (PV/SW) system covered by a novel sawdust rear layer. The surface temperature assessment revealed that the novel PV/SW system attained a reduction of 27% compared to the bare PV system and 16% relative to the PV/W system. The temperature reduction from the novel PV/SW system produced a 43% improvement in average electrical efficiency relative to the standard PV system and achieved improved efficiency by 12% above the (PV/W) system. Implementing sawdust layers on the PV panel surface produced prolonged wet conditions that boosted its cooling power. The authors examined the temperature uniformity of their cooling technique because uneven heat distribution could cause significant panel damage.

Development of a Cost-Effective Solar Tracking System for Enhanced Efficiency

Abstract - Automatic Solar Tracker project pursuits to increase solar power efficiency via affordable, one-axis tracking mechanism, which provides efficient solar panel adjustment. By the use of ESP8266 microcontroller, an SG90 servo motor, two Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) sensor modules, and a 5W solar panel, the system aligns the panel accordingly with the solar position for high energy reception. The method of operation involves LDRs identifying differences in light intensity, which the ESP8266 calculates to determine the intensity differential. This automatically adjusts the servo motor's angle via a control algorithm, keeping the panel horizontal to incidence of sunlight. Simple in design and scalable, the system gains an estimated 15–25% more energy compared to static panels, as proved in outdoor tests done under different light intensities. Major innovations are the low-cost integration of components and real-time tracking with an accuracy of ±5°. The project complements current solar devices' limitations by providing a reproducible prototype for small-scale renewable energy systems. The future development involves two-axis tracking and IoT connectivity to enable remote monitoring through the ESP8266's Wi-Fi feature. This research helps provide sustainable energy solutions and illustrates the capabilities of microcontroller-based automation in enhancing solar photovoltaic efficiency for home and educational applications. Key Words: Automated Solar Tracker, ESP8266 Microcontroller, SG90 Servo Motor, LDR Sensors, Light Intensity Detection, Cost-Effective, Renewable Energy, Photovoltaic System

Data-driven deep learning model for predicting ambient temperature: environment and solar energy

Abstract This study proposes and evaluates a hybrid gated recurrent unit--long short-term memory (GRU--LSTM) deep learning (DL) model to forecast ambient temperature, a key factor influencing photovoltaic (PV) module temperature and efficiency. Ambient temperature varies due to a range of environmental and weather conditions and is not consistently predictable during daytime. However, it is often assumed to remain constant in PV module design and solar power production calculations. To address unsolved issue, the study exploits the power of DL by introducing a novel hybrid model to forecast ambient temperature based on historical data, focusing on one month of measurements. The proposed model demonstrates predictive solid performance, with a mean absolute error (MAE) ranging from 0.024 to 0.046, root mean squared error (RMSE) in the range of 0.032 to 0.061, and an R2 value between 0.882 and 0.962. Temperature data from the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) and the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) is used to test the model across two locations in two countries, highlighting the model's robustness. Model training and inference are run on the high-performance computing (HPC) DEEP-DAM system at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre. Accurate ambient temperature forecasting enhances the precision of solar power production predictions and aids in managing power generation in hybrid wind-solar power plants.

Aggregation State Regulation of Molecular Hole Conductors for Light‐Stable Perovskite Photovoltaics

AbstractThe molecular aggregation state of organic hole conductors greatly influences charge collection of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, we optimize the core/periphery steric Cl‐substituent (W1, W2, W3) and regulate the aggregation state by molecular packing and interactions. It is demonstrated that W1 with Cl core‐substituent exhibits enhanced crystallization and strong intermolecular interactions in contrast to W2 with Cl sidechain‐substituent. Conversely, W3 with Cl substituent at both core and sidechain results in the most unfavorable molecular stacking. W1 exhibits high charge mobility and reinforced interfacial bonding, achieving a remarkable photovoltaic efficiency of 24.7%, outperforming the other two (W2's 23.9% and W3's 20.3%). Furthermore, W1‐ and W2‐PSCs retain 95.3% and 87.2% of their initial efficiency after 1,000 hours of maximum power point tracking (MPPT), respectively. This work provides fundamental insights into Cl‐substituent‐induced molecular aggregation behavior and offers a delicate approach for designing high‐performance organic hole semiconductors.

TiO2/MoS2-rGO composite Photoanodes: A Path to improved electron transport and photovoltaic efficiency in Dye-Sensitized solar cells

TiO2/MoS2-rGO composite Photoanodes: A Path to improved electron transport and photovoltaic efficiency in Dye-Sensitized solar cells

Te-doped CoFeSe nanocages decorated on N, S co-doped rGO as an efficient photovoltaics and hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst

Te-doped CoFeSe nanocages decorated on N, S co-doped rGO as an efficient photovoltaics and hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst

Utilisation of SiO2/TiO2/Al2O3 mechanical blends for enhancing the photovoltaic efficiency in polycrystalline silicon solar cells

Utilisation of SiO2/TiO2/Al2O3 mechanical blends for enhancing the photovoltaic efficiency in polycrystalline silicon solar cells

Density functional theory-based design of low-lattice mismatch MoS2/ZnSe and Zn3P2/MoS2 interfaces for enhanced photovoltaic efficiency via SCAPS-1D optimization

Density functional theory-based design of low-lattice mismatch MoS2/ZnSe and Zn3P2/MoS2 interfaces for enhanced photovoltaic efficiency via SCAPS-1D optimization

Forecasting Models and Genetic Algorithms for Researching and Designing Photovoltaic Systems to Deliver Autonomous Power Supply for Residential Consumers

An analysis of the possibilities of using alternative energy to solve the problem of electricity shortages in developing countries shows that solar energy can potentially play an essential role in the fuel and energy complex. The geographical location, on the one hand, and the global development of solar energy technologies, on the other, create an opportunity for a fairly complete and rapid solution to problems of insufficient energy supply. An autonomous solar installation is expensive; 50% of the cost is solar modules, 45% of the cost consists of other elements (battery, inverter, charge controller), and 5% is for other materials. This work proposes the most efficient PV system, based on the technical characteristics of the SB and AB. It has a direct connection between the SB and AB and provides almost full use of the solar panel’s installed power with a variable orientation to the Sun. The development of a small solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, operating both in parallel with the grid and in autonomous mode, can improve the power supply of household consumers more efficiently and faster than the development of a large energy system. It is suggested that two minimized criteria be used to create a model for forecasting FOU. This model can be used with a genetic algorithm to make a prediction that fits a specific case, such as a time series representation based on discrete fuzzy sets of the second type. The goal is to make decisions that are more valid and useful by creating a forecast model and algorithms for analyzing small PV indicators whose current values are shown by short time series and automating the processes needed for forecasting and analysis.

Impact of End-capped Acceptor Modification in Anthanthrone-Based D-π-A Type Donor Materials for Organic and as Hole Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells.

Efficient hole-transporting materials (HTMs) are important for improving the stability and performance of all-small-molecules organic solar cells (ASM-OSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, low photovoltaic efficiencies, due to challenges in the designing of small molecular electron donors (SMEDs) with ideal energy levels, light absorption, and optoelectronic properties, hinder their widespread usage. This study presents an end-capped molecular engineering strategy to develop highly efficient HTMs for PSCs and donor materials for OSCs. The approach involves integrating acceptor-anchor groups via a thiophene spacer into the anthanthrone (ANT) core with triphenylamine side groups, leading to a series of six newly designed HTMs (AZU1-AZU6). Quantum simulations employing density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods were conducted to analyze their electronic and photophysical properties. The designed HTMs exhibit an impressive intrinsic charge transfer of 90% and small exciton binding energy (0.11-0.44eV), facilitating efficient charge separation. The HOMO energy levels of the designed HTMs (- 4.96 to - 5.01eV) show significant stabilization compared to the reference molecule (- 4.82eV), promoting better energy level alignment with the perovskite absorber and PCBM polymer. Optical analysis reveals a broad and transparent absorption profile across the visible spectrum (573-737nm in solvent), minimizing thermalization losses and optimizing light harvesting. The designed HTMs also exhibit smaller hole reorganization energies (0.1427-0.1513eV) and higher transfer integrals (0.2251-0.2484), suggesting superior hole mobility. Moreover, their higher solvation-free energy values (-22.54 to -32kJ/mol) indicate enhanced solubility and surface-wetting properties. Notably, the designed HTMs achieve higher open-circuit voltage (VOC) values (1.57-1.62V) compared to the reference (1.42V), underscoring their potential for improved photovoltaic performance. Overall, this study highlights the promising role of ANT-based HTMs in advancing PSC and OSC technology through enhanced charge dynamics and optimized energy levels.

Enhancing the Efficiency and Stability of CsFA‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells: Defect Passivation Using Indoline‐Based D–π–A Configured Molecule as Additive

ABSTRACTThe employment of rationally designed functional group‐bearing molecules as additives to passivate perovskite defects has emerged as a prevalent trend. Among the diverse array of passivation materials, donor‐π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) structured molecules have attracted widespread attention due to their unique ability of simultaneously regulate the electron donor and acceptor units, thereby promoting coordination with undercoordinated ions of perovskite films. In this work, we introduce an indoline‐based D‐π‐A molecule (labeled as IHT) as an efficient passivator for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The extraordinary electron‐donating capability of indoline moiety simultaneously endows the electron‐withdrawing cyanoacetic acid group with an elevated electron density, which is in favor of interaction with under‐coordinated Pb2+ in the lattice, thus reducing the density of defective states within the perovskite films. Experimental outcomes underscore the efficacy of IHT as an additive in passivating CsFA‐based PSCs. The optimal devices demonstrate a remarkable champion photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 21.25%, with a notable improvement of 7.4% compared to the Cs‐FA‐PbI3 devices. The stability assessments reveal that the unencapsulated IHT‐treated Cs‐FA‐PbI3 devices retained 83% of the initial efficiency after 30 days in ambient air, whereas the untreated devices exhibited a decline to 54% under the same condition. This work indicates the profound significance of IHT in promoting the formation of dense perovskite film with passivation effect as well as enhancing the long‐term stability of PSCs.

Morphology-Dependent Excited-State Dynamics of Squaraine Thin Films during Thermal Annealing.

Thermal annealing is a widely used technique to enhance organic photovoltaic (OPV) efficiencies in bulk heterojunction devices. Combining annealing studies and spectroscopic measurements with theoretical modeling provides a more complete understanding of how aggregation influences energy transfer, an essential factor for photovoltaic performance. Here, we use in situ absorbance and single-shot transient absorption (SSTA) spectroscopy to characterize the electronic structure and excited-state dynamics of squaraine molecules embedded in an inert polymer matrix during thermal annealing. Analysis with a Hamiltonian based on the essential-states model reveals a stepwise transformation from disordered to ordered species, with energy transfer occurring preferentially from aggregates with larger interplanar spacing to more tightly packed aggregates. This study demonstrates how annealing-dependent changes in charge transfer coupling drive energy transfer dynamics in heterogeneous films. This work establishes a broadly applicable methodology for engineering solution-processed materials for applications in OPVs, field-effect transistors, and next-generation optoelectronic devices.

Harnessing plasmon-exciton energy exchange for flexible organic solar cells with efficiency of 19.5%

The plasmonic effects have unlocked remarkable advancements in modern optoelectronics, enabling enhanced light-matter interactions for applications ranging from sensing to photovoltaics. However, the nonradiative damping of plasmonic effects causes parasitic absorption which limits the light-utilization efficiency of optoelectronics, particularly for photovoltaic cells. Herein, we propose a plasmon energy recycling scheme consisting of green fluorophore (BCzBN) and nickel oxide to compensate for the plasmon energy loss. The plasmons trapped in silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes are coupled to green emission through plasmon-exciton energy exchange. Backward electron and energy transfer are inhibited due to the spectral mismatch and energy level offset. The optically enhanced flexible AgNW electrode exhibits an improvement of 10.74% in transmittance, yielding flexible organic solar cells with an efficiency of 19.51% and a certified value of 18.69%. This innovative strategy provides a pathway for overcoming plasmon energy losses in plasmonic optoelectronics, opening horizons for highly efficient flexible photovoltaics and plasmonic devices.

Simultaneous Halides Oxidation Inhibition and Defects Passivation for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Despite significant progress in improving the photovoltaic efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), achieving long-term operational stability remains challenging for their commercialization. Light-induced halide ion migration causes instability, oxidizing iodide into iodine. Elevated temperatures exacerbate this issue, resulting in irreversible device degradation. Here, ammonium oxalate (AO) is introduced as an additive to the perovskite precursor to prevent both the degradation of the perovskite precursor and the photo-induced degradation pathway to formamidinium iodideand PbI2 in perovskite films. AO stabilizes the precursor by inhibiting the oxidation of iodide ions (I-) and passivates charged traps through coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions, thereby enhancing crystallinity and reducing defects within the resultant perovskite films. This leads to the achievement of a higher-quality perovskite film with a low trap density and an extended carrier lifetime. In addition, the oxidation of I- within the perovskite film is inhibited, reducing the corrosion of I2 on the silver electrode and enhancing the long-term operating stability of the photovoltaic device. Consequently, the champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs is increased from 22.19% to 24.82%. Meanwhile, the air, thermal, and light stability are also enhanced.

MPPT Performance Analysis for PV Energy Harvesting Using Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) Algorithm

Renewable energy is a key solution to meeting the growing demand for electricity while reducing reliance on non-renewable sources. Among various renewable technologies, photovoltaic (PV) systems are widely used in solar power plants (PLTS) to harness solar energy. However, PV efficiency is affected by environmental factors such as fluctuating solar irradiance and temperature, which cause instability in output voltage and power. To address these issues, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques are applied to optimize power extraction. This study proposes the Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm for MPPT and evaluates its performance through MATLAB/SIMULINK simulations under varying irradiance and temperature conditions. Inspired by the hunting behavior and social hierarchy of grey wolves, GWO dynamically adjusts the converter's duty cycle based on real-time voltage and current measurements to maximize output power. The study focuses on PV systems in Malang, Indonesia, and compares GWO with the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method in terms of accuracy and stability. The results indicate that increased solar irradiance substantially enhances PV power output, while rising temperatures tend to reduce efficiency. The GWO algorithm achieves an average tracking accuracy of 94.5632%, slightly lower than the 96.9851% achieved by PSO. However, GWO demonstrates superior performance in terms of stability, with faster convergence and reduced oscillations during the tracking process. A comparison of system performance before and after applying the GWO method shows notable improvements in tracking consistency and power extraction efficiency, especially under dynamic environmental changes. The novelty of this study lies in its use of real-world environmental data collected over a 30-day period in a tropical setting, which is rarely addressed in previous GWO-based MPPT research. These findings highlight the potential of the GWO-based MPPT strategy to enhance PV system reliability and efficiency in real-time renewable energy applications.