Solar Panels Research Articles

Analyzing meteorological parameters using Pearson correlation coefficient and implementing machine learning models for solar energy prediction in Kuching, Sarawak

Solar energy is one of the clean renewable energy sources that can offset the rising consumption of fossil fuels. However, the meteorological parameters, such as solar irradiance, ambient and solar module temperatures, relative humidity, etc., constantly change, and so does the solar power generation. Such variations cause instability in the power grid operation due to injecting an unpredicted amount of power. Hence, solar energy prediction models capable of learning from past weather data and predicting future energy generation are highly desired for grid operation and planning. The objective of this study is to determine the suitable meteorological parameters for the solar energy prediction model based on the Pearson correlation coefficient and to implement them in different machine learning models. It is found in this study that five meteorological parameters, namely Air temperature, cloud opacity, global tilted irradiance, relative humidity, and zenith angle, correlate highly with solar energy generation. Later, based on the correlations, four machine-learning models were implemented to predict the solar power for Kuching, Sarawak. The accuracy of the models is measured through standard matrices such as root mean square error, mean square error, mean absolute error, and R-squared value.

Sequential Selective Dissolution of Coinage Metals in Recyclable Ionic Media.

Coinage metals Cu, Ag and Au are essential for modern electronics and their recycling from waste materials is becoming increasingly important to guarantee the security of their supply. Designing new sustainable and selective procedures that would substitute currently used processes is crucial. Here, we describe an unprecedented approach for the sequential dissolution of single metals from Cu, Ag and Au mixtures using biomass-derived ionic solvents and green oxidants. First, Cu can be selectively dissolved in the presence of Ag and Au with choline chloride/urea/H2O2 mixture, followed by the dissolution of Ag in lactic acid/H2O2. Finally, the metallic Au, which is not soluble in either solution above, is dissolved in choline chloride/urea/Oxone. Subsequently, the metals were simply and quantitatively recovered from dissolutions, and the solvents recycled and reused. The applicability of developed approach was demonstrated by recovering metals from electronic waste substrates such as printed circuit boards, gold fingers and solar panels. The dissolution reactions and selectivity were explored with different analytical techniques and DFT calculations. We anticipate our approach will pave a new way for contemporary and sustainable recycling of multi-metal waste substrates.

Equally Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules Fabricated via N-Ethyl-2-Pyrrolidone Optimized Vacuum-Flash.

Efficiency reduction in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) during the magnification procedure significantly hampers commercialization. Vacuum-flash (VF) has emerged as a promising method to fabricate PSCs with consistent efficiency across scales. However, the slower solvent removal rate of VF compared to the anti-solvent method leads to perovskite films with buried defects. Thus, this work employs low-toxic Lewis base ligand solvent N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NEP) to improve the nucleation process of perovskite films. NEP, with a mechanism similar to that of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in FA-based perovskite formation, enhances the solvent removal speed owing to its lower coordination ability. Based on this strategy, p-i-n PSCs with an optimized interface attain a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.19% on an area of 0.08 cm2. The same nucleation process enables perovskite solar modules (PSMs) to achieve a certified PCE of 23.28% on an aperture area of 22.96 cm2, with a high geometric fill factor of 97%, ensuring nearly identical active area PCE (24%) in PSMs as in PSCs. This strategy highlights the potential of NEP as a ligand solvent choice for the commercialization of PSCs.

Active heating of greenhouse integrated semitransparent photovoltaic thermal system with series connected semitransparent photovoltaic thermal air collectors

In order to fulfill the demand of energy and food security, active heating of controlled environment greenhouse integrated semitransparent photovoltaic thermal (GiSPVT) system with N-semitransparent photovoltaic thermal (SPVT) air collector for cold climatic condition has been analyzed in this paper. The proposed SPVT air collectors are connected in series and integrated with GiSPVT. It is used to generate thermal as well electrical energy to meet daily requirement of users. Based on energy balance equation which is a function of design and climatic parameters, an analytical expression for various variable parameters namely plant, room air and solar cell temperatures have been derived. Numerical computation has been made in Matlab for computing thermal, electrical and overall exergy of the proposed system. Based on numerical computation, the following observations have been made: (i) From thermal point of view, the packing factor (0.5, 0.8) of semitransparent PV module plays an important role and it has to be optimized for maximum thermal heating. (ii) The selection of number of collector N is an important parameter to generate electrical energy as well as thermal heating of GiSPVT room air in an optimum way.

Learning sustainability at the Barefoot College: local and global community values in action

This article investigates learning sustainability at the Barefoot College, identifying potential replicability and relevance for other contexts.BackgroundGovernment statistics in India, suggest that some 32 million children have no access to education, especially in rural areas. Despite initiatives, 80% mainly from lower castes and deprived backgrounds, have never attended school. Operating across many villages, the ‘Barefoot College’ (BFC) is a mature non-government organisation (NGO) centred on Tilonia, in Northern Rajasthan. Here, poverty is so extreme that children can be sold into textile factories because parents cannot afford to feed them. However, skills learned at BFC such as conserving fossil fuels and water, how to vote, literacy and health practices, improve local lives immeasurably and benefit the planet. The research question (RQ) examines the key characteristics and impact of learning sustainability in this environment. The lead author was astonished by the depth and beauty of how teachings of semi-literate women, teachers and children have generated a living, breathing sustainable community.MethodThis research used an education case study methodology comprising multiple nested cases. Narratives of three key BFC project cases, the solar panel mamas, the Barefoot health and social workers and the children’s Night Schools, contextualise participant interviews that enable individual voices and experiences to emerge. Strategies aligned with a feminist standpoint approach enhance rigour and trustworthiness, systematically comparing qualitative data initiated in 2012 across semi-structured interviews, observations, and photographs. We found two key themes: dealing with on-the-ground inequality and practices of teaching and learning, together with five subthemes. These are in turn examined within a global sustainability-based framework to evaluate and characterise of BFC learning sustainability and sustainable leadership.ResultsThe research finds that learning sustainability at BFC contains novel key elements that are scalable and transferable. Meticulous joined-up-thinking underpins the BFC projects. Participants’ words confirm local and global relevance. Mapping learning sustainability in practice confirms individual self-actualisation and community agency through transformative education with impact. Individual and organisational adaptability are evidenced through individuals’ transformation into community leaders.ConclusionThe Global North has a lot to learn from the BFC, where learning sustainability is deeply embedded in belonging to the community. Bottom-up leadership through active participation and democracy empowers all community members, instilling pride in the Barefoot ethos. In this difficult environment, locally rooted projects nurture the ecological commons including rainwater harvesting and reducing fossil fuels. Projects enable traditions and clean technologies to flourish, whilst strengthening individual and community belonging and identity.

Optimizing solar panel orientation for enhanced power output in cloudy conditions: a case study on solar energy supply in a water treatment plant

Optimizing solar panel orientation for enhanced power output in cloudy conditions: a case study on solar energy supply in a water treatment plant

Dynamic analysis of tethered defunct satellites with solar panels

Dynamic analysis of tethered defunct satellites with solar panels

Cosmic dust impacts on the Hubble Space Telescope.

Exposure of the Hubble Space Telescope to space in low Earth orbit resulted in numerous hypervelocity impacts by cosmic dust (micrometeoroids) and anthropogenic particles (orbital debris) on the solar arrays and the radiator shield of the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2, both subsequently returned to Earth. Solar cells preserve residues from smaller cosmic dust (and orbital debris) but give less reliable information from larger particles. Here, we present images and analyses from electron, ion and X-ray fluorescence microscopes for larger impact features (millimetre- to centimetre-scale) on the radiator shield. Validated by laboratory experiments, these allow interpretation of composition, probable origin and likely dimensions of the larger impactors. The majority (~90%) of impacts by grains greater than 50 μm in size were made by micrometeoroids, dominated by magnesium- and iron-rich silicates and iron sulfides, metallic iron-nickel and chromium-rich spinel similar to that in ordinary chondrite meteorites of asteroid origin. Our re-evaluation of the largest impact features shows substantially fewer large orbital debris impacts than reported by earlier authors. Mismatch to the NASA ORDEM and ESA MASTER models of particle populations in orbit may be partly due to model overestimation of orbital debris flux and underestimation of larger micrometeoroid numbers. This article is part of the theme issue 'Dust in the Solar System and beyond'.

High-Throughput Roll-to-Roll Processed Large-Area Perovskite Solar Cells Using Rapid Radiation Annealing Technique.

The development of a stable roll-to-roll (R2R) process for flexible large-area perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and modules is a pressing challenge. In this study, we introduced a new R2R PSC manufacturing system that employs a two-step deposition method for coating perovskite and uses intensive pulsed light (IPL) for annealing. This system has successfully fabricated small-sized cells and the first-ever large-sized, R2R-processed flexible modules. A key focus of our work was to accelerate the conversion of PbI2 to perovskite. To this end, we utilized IPL annealing and incorporated additives into the PbI2 layer. With these modifications, the R2R-processed perovskite films achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.87%, representing the highest reported value for R2R two-step processed PSCs. However, these cells exhibited hysteresis in reverse and forward PCE measurements. To address this, we introduced a dual-annealing process consisting of IPL followed by a 2-min thermal heating step. This approach successfully reduced hysteresis, resulting in low-hysteresis, R2R-processed flexible PSCs. Moreover, we fabricated large-scale flexible modules (10 × 10 cm2) with a PCE of 11.25% using the dual-annealing system, marking a significant milestone in this field.

Nickel–Cobalt Bimetal Hierarchical Hollow Nanosheets for Efficient Oxygen Evolution in Seawater

The electrochemical splitting of seawater is promising but also challenging for sustainable hydrogen gas production. Herein, ZIF-67 nanosheets are grown on nickel foam and then etched by Ni2+ in situ to obtain a hierarchical hollow nanosheets structure, which demonstrates outstanding OER performance in alkaline seawater (355 mV at 100 mA cm−2). Diven by a silicon solar panel, an overall electrolysis energy efficiency of 62% is achieved at a high current of 100 mA cm−2 in seawater electrolytes. This work provides a new design route for improving the catalytic activity of metal organic framework materials.

Precursor-Engineered Volatile Inks Enable Reliable Blade-Coating of Cesium-Formamidinium Perovskites Toward Fully Printed Solar Modules.

Reliable fabrication of large-area perovskite films with antisolvent-free printing techniques requires high-volatility solvents, such as 2-methoxyethanol (2ME), to formulate precursor inks. However, the fabrication of high-quality cesium-formamidinium (Cs-FA) perovskites has been hampered using volatile solvents due to their poor coordination with the perovskite precursors. Here, this issue is resolved by re-formulating a 2ME-based Cs0.05FA0.95PbI3 ink using pre-synthesized single crystals as the precursor instead of the conventional mixture of raw powders. The key to obtaining high-quality Cs-FA films lies in the removal of colloidal particles from the ink and hence the suppression of colloid-induced heterogeneous nucleation, which kinetically facilitates the growth of as-formed crystals toward larger grains and improved film crystallinity. Employing the precursor-engineered volatile ink in the vacuum-free, fully printing processing of solar cells (with carbon electrode), a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.3%, a T80 (80% of initial PCE) of 1000h in ISOS-L-2I (85°C/1Sun) aging test and a substantially reduced bill of materials are obtained. The reliable coating methodology ultimately enables the fabrication of carbon-electrode mini solar modules with a stabilized PCE of 16.2% (average 15.6%) representing the record value among the fully printed counterparts and a key milestone toward meeting the objectives for a scalable photovoltaic technology.

Energy- and exergy-based economical and environmental (4E) evaluation of the influence of natural pollutants on PV array performance

AbstractIn the present investigation, thermodynamic/eco/environmental analysis of the relationship between time-dependent particle deposition and thermal-based losses and incident solar radiation intensity on the PV front cover glass during the months with the least precipitation in the city of Samsun (Turkey) was performed. To evaluate the effect of dust accumulation, controlled experiments were carried out where the surface of one set of PV panels was periodically cleaned with water and the other one was left to natural contamination. The results showed that over three months, the difference in energy loss rates between cleaned and uncleaned PV arrays ranged from 2.53% to 8.1%, with the exergy efficiency difference measured at 1.3%–2.44%. According to the energy-based analyzes, August was the most effective month, with cleaned PV arrays reducing CO2 emissions by 401.5 kg and saving $6.02, compared to uncleaned PV arrays which reduced emissions by 362.21 kg and cost $5.43, respectively. Similarly, in the exergy-based evaluation, August was the most efficient month, with cleaned PV arrays decreasing CO2 emissions by 401.5 kg and saving $6.02, compared to uncleaned PV arrays, which dropped CO2 emissions by 362.21 kg and costing $5.43, respectively. While the cleaned surfaces were initially positive, a decrease was observed over time. However, the efficiency of PV decreased with increasing panel temperature. The study concludes that PV surfaces need to be cleaned at certain intervals, depending on the location’s weather conditions.

Investigation on the Possibility of Improving the Performance of a Silicon Cell Using Selected Dye Concentrator

There are many opportunities to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. These include solutions such as tracking mechanisms, hybrid systems or dye concentrators. Importantly, their implementation can reduce the number of silicon cells in installations, leading to reduced environmental impact. The principle of a dye concentrator is to focus sunlight onto the surface of PV modules, increasing electricity production. In this study, the potential for increased PV cell efficiency is investigated using a selected dye concentrator—tinted and luminescent acrylic glass (polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA) in yellow and red colors. The experiment included multiple measurement calibrations, such as the temperature of the silicon cell under test and the irradiation, as well as different variants of PV systems consisting of a silicon cell and different types of PMMA. Overall, the results show an increase in PV cell performance and the dependence of the increase on the type of PMMA used. The most favorable of the PV systems tested appeared to be the combination of a PV cell with a red luminescent PV, for which an average efficiency improvement of 1.21% was obtained.

Review on Design and Fabrication of Solar Panel Cleaning Mechanism

Today energy demands are increasing sharply therefore as a Renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in producing the electricity direct from sunlight. The surface of solar panel in solar power plants becomes dirty due to natural factors such as dust and bird droppings. This project aims at increasing the efficiency of solar power plants by solving the problem of accumulation of dust on the surface of solar panel which leads to reduction in plant output and overall plant efficiency. It proposes to develop a Solar Panel Cleaning System which could remove the accumulated dust on its surface on a regular basis and maintain the solar power plant output.[8]

Optimization and performance enhancement of renewable energy microgrid energy system using pheasant bird optimization algorithm

The main aim of this research work is to design and select an optimal renewable energy resource based microgrid (MG) system for rural area electrification of India. MG system consists of diesel generator (DG), battery bank (BB), wind turbine (WT), biomass generator (BMG) and solar photovoltaic (PV) modules with seven different configurations. The optimal system is selected based on technological, economic, environmental, social and reliability parameters. For this objective, a novel algorithm called pheasant bird optimization algorithm (PBOA) is presented and compared with particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), ant colony optimization (ACO), cuckoo search algorithm (CSA) and HOMER Pro. Results show that PV/WT/BMG/BB/DG is an optimal configuration with sizes of 1148 units of PV, 42 units of WT, 20 units of BMG, 36 units of BB and 1 unit of DG. PBOA has determined the optimal resource size for the MG system. In terms of social and reliability parameters for the PV/WT/BMG/BB/DG system, PBOA generated values of 93.58 %, for RF, 0.08754 for EGJC and 0.01 % for LPSP. For the optimal configuration, PBOA estimated NPC, COE, CE values are ₹66185779, ₹9.3 and 650901 kg/yrs respectively. PBOA reaches the minimal NPC of ₹66185779 in just 180 iterations, whereas PSO, ACO, GA, and CSA required 360, 200, 360 and 250 iterations respectively. PBOA also achieved minimal COE at a rate of 1.52, 1.11, 1.11 and 1.94 times faster than PSO, GA, CSA and ACO respectively. The contribution of PV and WT sources to the total generated electricity is approximately 50 % and 35 % respectively. PBOA exhibits faster convergence time and iteration compared to the PSO, ACO, GA and CSA algorithm. The comparison results indicate that the optimal PV/WT/BMG/BB/DG configuration select for rural areas. This research provides valuable information for policy makers and investors on the implementation of MG system in rural regions.

Recovery of metallic lead from End-Of-Life silicon solar modules using salt bridge electrowinning

Toxic lead (Pb) in end-of-life silicon solar modules must be recovered to keep it out of the environment. Present literature on Pb recovery from solar waste is sparse and uses chemicals like nitric or hydrochloric acid. Previously, the authors reported Pb recovery from silicon modules by leaching and electrowinning in acetic acid. However, the Pb recovered from acetic solution contained a small amount of metallic Pb with the rest being lead oxides/acetates. These Pb compounds require further processing to obtain metallic Pb for reuse in solar panel solder, leading to additional cost and chemical waste. This paper reports recovery of metallic Pb using an electrochemical system with two half cells connected through a salt bridge. The salt bridge enables optimized recovery rates of Pb as high as 99.99 % for synthetic leachates. The first experiment to recover Pb from real silicon module waste shows 80 % recovery without optimization. The new method offers a low-cost, closed-loop, direct pathway to metallic Pb recovery from end-of-life silicon solar modules for reuse in new modules.

An Increasing the Output Power of PLTS by Using Cooler on the Panel Surface

A Growth in Indonesia is increasing and the energy sources needed by humans are also increasing. Therefore, more environmentally friendly and renewable energy sources are needed. One source of renewable energy is solar panels which use the sun as a source to produce electrical energy for human needs. Renewable energy that is now widely loved is solar energy, which can be converted into electrical energy with the help of solar panels. Solar panels are made of semiconductor silicon which absorbs photons from the sun's energy. However, the sun does not only produce photons which can be converted into electrical energy, but there is also heat energy which can increase the temperature of the solar panels which can reduce the performance of the solar panels. Therefor researchers conducted research to reduce the temperature of solar panels by using the monocrystalline solar panel cooling method using mineral oil with the immersion cooling technique. However, the solar panel itself has a maximum body temperature which affects the output of the solar panel. Solar cell panels experience a decrease in their ability to produce electricity if they get too hot or exceed their effectiveness limit. Therefore, a cooling system is needed to cool or reduce the temperature of the solar cell panels, so that they can produce electricity effectively and efficiently. If you look at the cooling process, solar cells remain good and stable at a temperature of 25ºC -35ºC because at this temperature the solar panels can produce the best power. Keywords: Solar Cell Cooler, Power Efficiency, and Panel

Mechanically programmable substrate enable highly stretchable solar cell arrays for self-powered electronic skin

Development of stretchable solar cells to accommodate large strain without sacrificing the power conversion efficiency is challenging. This study presents a novel approach to manufacture highly stretchable solar cell arrays, which can be integrated into wearable medical devices to operate under challenging environments. Overcoming the limitations of rigid metal wires, liquid metal wires are employed to connect single crystal silicon solar cells, ensuring both high conversion efficiency and exceptional stretchability (up to 100%). The manufacturing process introduces embedding electrospinning films into elastic silicone substrates to create a tight bond between rigid solar cells and stretchable substrates with programmable strain capabilities. Notably, a stretchable interconnect wire is efficiently fabricated using the semi-liquid metal template printing technique and demonstrates remarkable conductivity (up to 6 × 106 S/m). Individual structural unit of solar cell presents an impressive tensile rate of 200%, and endures up to 5000 cycles of tensile testing. The overall solar cell array exhibits outstanding adaptability to extensive bending and twisting, with a mere 0.1% short-circuit current reduction in its maximum stretched state. The stretchable photovoltaic device is successfully employed in creating self-powered electronic skin for continuous real-time monitoring of parameters, showcasing its valuable potential in wearable medical electronic devices and comprehensive sports health monitoring.

Utilizing two models of the converter to eliminate the partial shading on solar panel: a comparative scheme between classical offline and advanced online control strategies

Utilizing two models of the converter to eliminate the partial shading on solar panel: a comparative scheme between classical offline and advanced online control strategies

Towards Sustainable Urban Energy: A Robust Deep Learning Framework for Solar Potential Estimation

Abstract. Rooftop photovoltaic is considered as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to energy challenges in urban areas. To ensure photovoltaic efficiency, it is essential to accurately estimate rooftop solar potential and deploy solar panels wisely. During the past few years, deep learning-based estimation methods have emerged and mainly rely on inferring rooftop orientations from aerial imagery. However, we note that rooftops often appear diversely when images are taken at different solar azimuths, and this can lead to orientation misclassification. To address this, we propose a robust solar potential estimation framework, mainly composed of a rooftop orientation prediction network and a bilateral solar potential estimation module. Specifically, we first classify rooftops into five orientations, i.e., east, west, south, north towards, and flat with a semantic segmentation network. Afterward, opposing orientations are merged to alleviate misclassification caused by variant data acquisition time. Eventually, we compute solar potentials based on PVGIS and a weighting scheme. Experimental results on the RID dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in improving the accuracy of solar energy estimation.