Solar Panels Research Articles

Smart tubular hinge with multi-environment adaptability for rapid elastic and gentle shape memory deployment

Smart deployable structures are a crucial solution for reducing spacecraft weight and enhancing rocket space utilization. Traditional deployable structures based on composite materials can only achieve either elastic deployment or shape memory deployment, failing to meet multi-condition, high-intelligence requirements. In this work, we developed a tubular hinge with dual-deformation deployability. For rapid deployment needs, the hinge can be deformed at room temperature and achieve quick elastic deployment within 0.3 s at room or low temperatures. For autonomous fixation and slow deployment, the hinge can be fixed at high temperatures and achieve a gentle shape memory deployment within 100 s. More significantly, the hinge exhibits excellent environmental stability, maintaining superior deployable characteristics even after exposure to high and low-temperature environments and long-term folding. This hinge has been used to the deployment of solar panels and solar sails.

Nusselt number and skin‐friction coefficients of a micropolar flow over a flat plate under constant wall temperature conditions in a porous medium

AbstractThis study examines the forced convection of a micropolar fluid (MPF) flow across a vertical permeable plate inside a porous medium. A similar solution is derived for a scenario involving a constant surface temperature. The system of transformed governing equations is addressed by employing a finite‐difference method. Notably, a parametric analysis is conducted to demonstrate how the Prandtl number, micropolar parameters, Darcy number, inertia coefficient (ξ), skin friction (Cf), and Nusselt number (Nu) impact the system. The results are then presented graphically, while the physical aspects of the issue are assessed. Although a larger Nu produced a high wall heat transfer, the Cf values are decreased as ξ increases. The ξ also reduces the local Nu. Compared with Newtonian fluids, the MPF increases Cf and reduces the heat transfer rate. The outcomes are validated by comparing the current results with other related studies. The results of this study are useful for improving the efficiency of solar panels by enhancing their cooling rate. It is also found that increasing the inertia of MPF leads to an increase in the friction coefficient (Cf) while increasing porosity, microrotation parameter n and Fs decreases (Cf).

Negative expansion induced anti-abrasive self-cleaning coatings for enhancing output of solar panels

Pollutants on solar panels impede sunlight absorption, leading to a reduction in their output power. Superhydrophilic coatings exhibit effective self-cleaning performance as droplets fully spread on their surfaces. However, one challenge for the commercial development of transparent superhydrophilic coatings is poor abrasion resistance. Frictional heating on the coatings’ surface causes the abrasion force to rise uncontrollably, which in turn causes the coatings to either fracture or wear catastrophically. A promising alternative is utilizing novel adaptive materials with a negative thermal expansion coefficient in the coating. The compressive stress on the surface of the coating with negative expansion will enhance its abrasion resistance. Here, we demonstrate a method to achieve compressive stress in the coating by incorporating halloysite (HNTs) nanotubes due to their negative expansive behavior. Hydrolyzed tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) combines HNTs nanotubes with SiO2 nanoparticles, thus forming a hard nano-composite unit. Meanwhile, amino resin and acrylic resin as adhesives participate in constructing the coating’s three-dimensional network structure. The surfactant sodium alkenyl sulfonate (AOS) endows the coating with superhydrophilicity. As a result, the nano-composite (NC) coating shows superior superhydrophilicity and anti-abrasive properties. The NC coating retains good hydrophilicity and self-cleaning properties after 2000 cycles of Taber abrasion loading 250 g or 1000-line cycles of steel wool friction loading 500 g. The self-cleaning performance of the robust NC coating on solar panels can improve the output power by up to 33.65 % after 296 days. Hence, introducing shrinkage components such as HNTs may provide a general strategy for developing robust superhydrophilic coatings.

Design-Optimization of Solar-Collector Tilt Angle for Annual-Maximum and Seasonal-Balanced Energy Received

Abstract A detailed research study was performed on the annual energy received by a fixed-tilt solar collector. A new clear-sky model of solar radiation was developed by combining existing clear-sky models. Then, this model, was used to perform optimizations with two different objectives. The first objective is to achieve the maximum-annual solar energy received by a solar panel, while the second is to balance its energy received so that it is more uniform over the course of a year. Each of these objectives have differing optimum tilt values, depending on the location and usage of a solar receiver system. The novelty of this investigation is the use of the aforementioned solar model with a unique algorithm for multiple optimizations for these two different objectives, which results in two different optimum tilt angles that are in turn different from the widely accepted rule-of-thumb that recommends an angle that is equal to the latitude. The solar radiation results obtained with the model used herein were experimentally confirmed through comparison with measured weather data for a number of locations with different sky clearness indexes as well as comparison with those of other studies found in the literature. A major contribution of this study are the plots and tables showing optimum tilt angles as estimated by the model as well as with empirical data. By selecting the appropriate tilt angle, a designer can now decide to either maximize annual electrical energy production or else to balance delivery of electricity over the year.

Unravel the Distinctive Roles of Liquid and Solid Additives in Blade‐Coated Active Layer for Organic Solar Cell Modules

AbstractAlthough encouraging progress in spin‐coated small‐area organic solar cells (OSCs), reducing efficiency loss caused by differences in film uniformity and morphology when up‐scaled to large‐area modules through meniscus‐guided coating is an important but unsolved issue. In this work, in‐depth research is conducted on the influence of both liquid and solid additives on the film uniformity and morphology of active layer in blade‐coated PM6:L8‐BO binary system. The study reveals that high boiling point liquid additives like 1,8‐diiodooctane (DIO) used in blade‐coating not only delay the volatilization of the solvent but also trigger the Marangoni flow in the same direction as capillary flow, causing excessive aggregation of acceptors, therefore destroying device performance. On the contrary, the solid additive 2‐Iododiphenyl ether (IDPE), which is first reported in this work, can preserve the mechanism for improving device performance while effectively suppressing the excessive aggregation of acceptors during the film‐forming process in blade‐coating from halogen‐free solvent of toluene, resulting in highly homogeneous large‐area active layer films. Consequently, organic solar modules with an impressive efficiency of 15.34% with a total module area of 18.90 cm2 via blade‐coating based on PM6:L8‐BO are achieved. This study not only provides a deep understanding on the effect of liquid and solid additives during blade‐coating from the perspective of fluid mechanisms but also gives a pathway for the development of green solvent printed high‐efficiency OSCs.

Increasing the Efficiency of Ecological Solar Panels Combined with the Building’s Roof

This article is devoted to increasing the efficiency of ecological solar panels with their combination with the house’s roof. A solar panel construction that combines both the solar collector and the building cover is considered. This work investigates the efficiency of solar panels depending on the type of coating, heat-carrying medium mass flow rate, tube diameter, and the distance between the tubes. Among the coatings, Grafplast PDA roofing material is the most effective. Prandelli/Tuborama tubes with a diameter of 16 mm are recommended. The diameter of the tubes significantly affects the efficiency of the solar panel only at low intensity of solar radiation.

A Hybrid Machine Learning Approach: Analyzing Energy Potential and Designing Solar Fault Detection for an AIoT-Based Solar–Hydrogen System in a University Setting

This research aims to optimize the solar–hydrogen energy system at Kangwon National University’s Samcheok campus by leveraging the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning. The primary objective is to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the renewable energy system through predictive modeling and advanced fault detection techniques. Key elements of the methodology include data collection from solar energy production and fault detection systems, energy potential analysis using Transformer models, and fault identification in solar panels using CNN and ResNet-50 architectures. The Transformer model was evaluated using metrics such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and an additional variation of MAE (MAE2). Known for its ability to detect intricate time series patterns, the Transformer model exhibited solid predictive performance, with the MAE and MAE2 results reflecting consistent average errors, while the MSE pointed to areas with larger deviations requiring improvement. In fault detection, the ResNet-50 model outperformed VGG-16, achieving 85% accuracy and a 42% loss, as opposed to VGG-16’s 80% accuracy and 78% loss. This indicates that ResNet-50 is more adept at detecting and classifying complex faults in solar panels, although further refinement is needed to reduce error rates. This study demonstrates the potential for AI and IoT integration in renewable energy systems, particularly within academic institutions, to improve energy management and system reliability. Results suggest that the ResNet-50 model enhances fault detection accuracy, while the Transformer model provides valuable insights for strategic energy output forecasting. Future research could focus on incorporating real-time environmental data to improve prediction accuracy and developing automated AIoT-based monitoring systems to reduce the need for human intervention. This study provides critical insights into advancing the efficiency and sustainability of solar–hydrogen systems, supporting the growth of AI-driven renewable energy solutions in university settings.

Performance Evaluation of Distance Relay Operation in Distribution Systems with Integrated Distributed Energy Resources

This article presents the evaluation of the performance of the distance relay (ANSI function 21) when integrating Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in a Local Distribution System (LDS). The aim is to understand the impacts of and the necessary modifications required in the operation of distance relays, considering different levels of DER aggregation, and identifying any threshold levels before issues arise. To achieve this, first, a comprehensive review was carried out to analyze the impacts generated in the protection systems. Second, by using the DigSilent Power Factory software, the implementation of the distance relay using a IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder was validated. The aggregation of the three fundamental types of DG, synchronous machines, solar panels, and wind turbines, was evaluated. The threshold at which distributed generation power injection begins to compromise distance protection performance was identified. This study compares the outcomes of using mho and quadrilateral protection schemes.

Prominent solution for solar panel defect detection using AI-based computer vision technology with IoT sensors in the solar panel manufacturing industry

Prominent solution for solar panel defect detection using AI-based computer vision technology with IoT sensors in the solar panel manufacturing industry

Monitoring JUICE deployment operations with high-accuracy accelerometer data

The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission is a cornerstone of ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015–2025 program devoted to the scientific exploration of Jupiter and its icy moons. Launched on April 14, 2023, from French Guiana, JUICE will perform multiple gravity assists, including an unprecedented lunar-Earth double gravity assist, in order to shape its trajectory to Jupiter, where it will arrive in July 2031. Thanks to a suite of 10 scientific instruments, JUICE will carry out a comprehensive investigation of the jovian system, with special focus on Ganymede. Among these experiments is the Gravity and Geophysics of Jupiter and the Galilean Moons (3GM) radio science and planetary geodesy experiment, supported by the onboard High Accuracy Accelerometer (HAA). The HAA, a three-axis spring mass accelerometer, measures the non-gravitational perturbations acting on the spacecraft, that need to be measured in order to fully exploit the highly accurate range and range rate measurements of 3GM. This paper analyzes the HAA data collected in the very early phase of the mission, to monitor the initial deployment of the spacecraft's moving appendages. The vibration modes of the magnetometer boom and solar arrays were clearly detected during the appendages' deployment, as well as the latching of the Langmuir probe hinges. The detected resonance frequencies of the first and second magnetometer boom bending modes are equal to 0.44 and 0.46 Hz, respectively. The HAA data contributed to identifying the root-cause of the anomalous Radar for Icy Moon Exploration (RIME) antenna deployment. The strong external perturbations due to the actuators' activation have been used to characterize the spacecraft tranquillization time. Despite the significant increase in the spacecraft noise floor during deployment events, the full sensitivity of the instrument was regained within 10 min. This information can be used to plan the spacecraft operations during the scientific phase of the mission.

Chemical-Inspired Material Generation Algorithm (MGA) of Single- and Double-Diode Model Parameter Determination for Multi-Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

The optimization of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules is crucial for enhancing solar energy conversion efficiency, a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of solar energy. Accurate modeling and estimation of PV parameters are essential for the optimal design, control, and simulation of PV systems. Traditional optimization methods often suffer from limitations such as entrapment in local optima when addressing this complex problem. This study introduces the Material Generation Algorithm (MGA), inspired by the principles of material chemistry, to estimate PV parameters effectively. The MGA simulates the creation and stabilization of chemical compounds to explore and optimize the parameter space. The algorithm mimics the formation of ionic and covalent bonds to generate new candidate solutions and assesses their stability to ensure convergence to optimal parameters. The MGA is applied to estimate parameters for two different PV modules, RTC France and Kyocera KC200GT, considering their manufacturing technologies and solar cell models. The significant nature of the MGA in comparison to other algorithms is further demonstrated by experimental and statistical findings. A comparative analysis of the results indicates that the MGA outperforms the other optimization strategies that previous researchers have examined for parameter estimation of solar PV systems in terms of both effectiveness and robustness. Moreover, simulation results demonstrate that MGA enhances the electrical properties of PV systems by accurately identifying PV parameters under varying operating conditions of temperature and irradiance. In comparison to other reported methods, considering the Kyocera KC200GT module, the MGA consistently performs better in decreasing RMSE across a variety of weather situations; for SD and DD models, the percentage improvements vary from 8.07% to 90.29%.

A study into the correlation between single array-hull configurations and wave spectrum for floating solar photovoltaic systems

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems offer a viable renewable energy solution due to easy installation and cost-effectiveness compared to other renewable energy generation methods. On the other hand, land-based solar photovoltaics face challenges such as space scarcity and environmental impacts. Shifting to nearshore locations unlocks vast ocean space potential, though waves expose significant challenges to FPV systems. Several novel FPV system designs are proposed, inspired by high-speed vessel multihulls, including catamaran, trimaran, quadrimaran, and pentamaran configurations, as floating supports for solar panels. Simulations were conducted to determine Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs) under various irregular wave spectrum conditions in a free-floating initial state. The FPV motion problem was solved using linear potential-flow theory with the Boundary Element Method (BEM) with Green-Function approach. Superposition of wave spectral energy and motion RAOs was used to obtain spectral structural responses. Motion in heave, roll, and pitch modes was evaluated across wave spectrum types. Results show that adding hulls reduces the significant amplitude response in all motion modes. In summary, valuable insights into floater designs and the hydrodynamic evaluation of FPV systems are presented.

Sustainable Concrete Roof Tiles: Integrating Aluminium Foil, Fly Ash, Solar PV, and Management

This research investigates the use of municipal solid waste cremated fly ash as a viable substitute for natural sand in building methodologies, with a focus on sustainability. The waste material is used in the manufacturing of concrete roof tiles that are combined with solar PV systems, providing advantages in terms of both thermal comfort and improved energy efficiency. These tiles exhibit thermal insulation prowess by effectively preserving a 2-degree temperature differential and collecting heat from solar panels to enhance their energy-production efficiency. In order to enhance performance even further, aluminium foil is strategically placed on all four sides of the roof walls. The foil acts as a reflector, redirecting solar energy towards the tiles, which leads to a 5% boost in power generation. Particular alignments, such as positioning in an east-west or north-south direction, result in further enhancements in performance of 4% and 3%, respectively. This comprehensive approach not only confirms the use of waste materials for environmentally friendly construction but also emphasizes their crucial role in promoting energy-efficient building methods.

Nonthermal Observations of a Flare Loop-top Using IRIS Fe xxi: Implications for Turbulence and Electron Acceleration

The excess broadening of high-temperature spectral lines, long observed near the tops of flare arcades, is widely considered to result from magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. According to different theories, plasma turbulence is also believed to be a candidate mechanism for particle acceleration during solar flares. However, the degree to which this broadening is connected to the acceleration of nonthermal electrons remains largely unexplored outside of recent work, and many observations have been limited by limited spatial resolution and cadence. Using the Interface Region Imaging Spectrometer, we present spatially resolved observations of loop-top (LT) broadenings using hot (≈11 MK) Fe xxi 1354.1 Å line emission at ≈9 s cadence during the 2022 March 30 X1.3 flare. We find nonthermal velocities upward of 65 km s−1 that decay linearly with time, indicating the presence and subsequent dissipation of plasma turbulence. Moreover, the initial Fe xxi signal was found to be cospatial and cotemporal with microwave emission measured by the Expanded Owens Valley Solar Array, placing a population of nonthermal electrons in the same region as the LT turbulence. Evidence of electron acceleration at this time is further supported by hard X-ray measurements from the Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays on board Solar Orbiter. Using the decay of nonthermal broadenings as a proxy for turbulent dissipation, we found the rate of energy dissipation to be consistent with the power of nonthermal electrons deposited into the chromosphere, suggesting a possible connection between turbulence and electron acceleration.

Design Of PV Plant to Improve a Voltage Profile Of 11 KV Grid in The South West of Libya

The use of photovoltaic (PV) system for electricity generation is growing up in the last decades. Thesouthern part of Libya suffers from voltage fluctuation and intermittence of electricity during thesummer time. The aim of this paper is firstly to study and analysis a distribution grid of small villagelocated in the southern west region of Libya. We analyzed the existed 11KV distribution overheadline supplied electricity of the village called Takarkibah using Power-World Simulator in order tointegrate it with PV plant. The results obtained show that injection of PV power about 70 % of thegrid power capacity gives good grid performance. After that, we use SAM simulation program todesign PV plant to improve the voltage profile in the distribution grid. Six designs (scenarios) aresimulated using different solar modules and inverters. The simulation results obtained from SAMillustrated the power capacity, energy yield, and losses of the designed PV plant.

Numerical study of a hybrid system of solar panels, a diesel generator, and a wind turbine using a battery system

This paper gives an overall quantitative analysis of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) incorporating solar photovoltaic system, wind system, diesel generator and battery storage system. The system is aimed at coordination the management of the energy resources for providing the off-grid or remote facilities. The best intervention is thus to increase the consumption of renewable energy sources to minimize the reliance on diesel generators. The findings show that the hybrid system is capable of supplying different levels of power, which is pumped from the solar PV panels at maximum of 30.38 kW for the photovoltaic system at maximum solar intensity, and the wind power system to a maximum of 3213 kW of power generation under standard wind potential. The diesel generator serves a backup power source, which ranges from 91.24 kW and 864 at a rate of 250 kW during high activity and 5 kW during high-demand periods. Battery storage integration has a crucial part in matching the short-term supply-demand imbalance problem. The study suggests that the hybrid system reduces diesel use, emissions, and improves energy sustainability making the system a worthy proposition for remote areas. The findings therefore affirm the use of hybrid systems in off grid electrification since they operate economically and are eco-friendly.

Sensor Fusion-Based Pulsed Controller for Low Power Solar-Charged Batteries with Experimental Tests: NiMH Battery as a Case Study

Solar energy is considered the major source of clean and ubiquitous renewable energy available on various scales in electric grids. In addition, solar energy is harnessed in various electronic devices to charge the batteries and power electronic equipment. Due to its ubiquitous nature, the corresponding market for solar-charged small-scale batteries is growing fast. The most important part to make the technology feasible is a portable battery charger and the associated controllers to automate battery charging. The charger should consider the case of charging to be convenient for the user and minimize battery degradation. However, the issue of slow charging and premature battery life loss plagues current industry standards or innovative battery technologies. In this paper, a new pulse charging technique is proposed that obviates battery deterioration and minimizes the overall charging loss. The solar-powered battery charger is prototyped and executed as a practical, versatile, and compact photovoltaic charge controller at cut rates. With the aid of sensor fusion, the charge controller is disconnected and reconnects the battery during battery overcharging and deep discharging conditions using sensors with relays. The laboratory model is tested using a less expensive PV panel, battery, and digital signal processor (DSP) controller. The charging behavior of the solar-powered PWM charge controller is studied compared with that of the constant voltage–constant current (CV–CC) method. The proposed method is pertinent for minimizing energy issues in impoverished places at a reasonable price.

The impacts of DC/AC ratio, battery dispatch, and degradation on financial evaluation of bifacial PV+BESS systems

As the price of solar modules has decreased, oversizing PV system becomes a general practice. Without proper energy management, the oversized systems could lead to over-generation waste which cause a loss in revenue. Battery energy storage system (BESS) can be integrated to the PV system for utilizing the over-consumption energy and increasing the system’s financial benefits. This paper highlights the influence of technical and financial factors on the photovoltaic (PV) and PV with BESS design. To analyze the impacts of the factors on PV systems, thirty-six system configurations with a variety of geographic locations, tariff structures, billing methods, and PV system technology are simulated using System Advisor Model (SAM) as a tool with result validation from measurements on a real oversized residential grid-tied bifacial PV+BESS system. To study the financial criteria that affect the optimal system design, we conducted the sensitivity analysis of the DC/AC ratio, battery replacement threshold, and battery size to observe the optimal system design based on three financial outputs: levelized cost of energy (LCOE), net present value (NPV), and payback period. The findings show that the optimal DC/AC ratio for residential-scale PV systems lies between 1.1 - 1.3 and can go up to 1.6 with BESS. PV+BESS systems can reduce the payback period by 20% and boost NPV by 80% compared to the PV-only systems. The sensitivity study of the battery replacement shows that the battery can be degraded until 50% of its maximum capacity for the lowest LCOE. To achieve the optimal grid-tied PV system design, each economic parameter should be evaluated together.

Sunlight responsive superhydrophilic rGO-TiO2 nanocomposite coatings for photovoltaic applications

Transparent, superhydrophilic surfaces have a wide range of applications, especially for self-cleaning coatings in window panes and solar panels. Herein, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) decorated titanium dioxide (rGO-TiO2) nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized by in-situ hydrothermal method. The X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of anatase-brookite mixed phases TiO2 wherein rGO facilitates the anatase-brookite phase transformation. The NCs exhibit the transmittance of ∼79 % in the visible range and the lowest band gap of 3.03 eV. The wettability studies revealed that the films of rGO-TiO2 NCs became superhydrophilic (water contact angle <10°) upon 60 min sunlight exposure.

Solar Panel Cleaning System

Solar Panel Cleaning System