Characterization of cell mismatch in a multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic module

In this study the causes and effects of cell mismatch were identified in a multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic module. Different techniques were used to identify the causes of the mismatch, including Electroluminescence (EL) imaging, Infrared (IR) imaging, current–voltage (I–V) characteristics, worst-case cell determination and Large Area Laser Beam Induced Current (LA-LBIC) scans. In EL images the cracked cells, broken fingers and material defects are visible. The presence of poorly contacted cells results in the formation of hot-spots. LA-LBIC line scans give the relative photoresponse of the cells in the module. However, this technique is limited due to the penetration depth of the laser beam. The worst case cell determination compares the I–V curves of the whole module with the I–V curve of the module with one cell covered, allowing the evaluation of the performance of each cell in a series-connected string. These methods allowed detection of the poorly performing cells in the module. Using all these techniques an overall view of the photoresponse in the cells and their performance is obtained.     

硅p-n结太阳电池对DF激光的响应

 对硅p-n结太阳电池在DF激光辐照下的响应进行了理论和实验研究。推导了p-n结反向饱和电流随温度的近似变化关系。根据该近似关系，计算了太阳电池在DF激光辐照过程中输出电压的变化曲线。计算结果和实验结果之间取得了比较好的一致性。     

Analysis on dye-sensitized solar cells based on Fe-doped TiO2 by intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy and Mott-Schottky

The pure TiO2 and Fe salts [Fe（C2O4）3,5H2O]-doped TiO2 electrodes were prepared by the hydrothermal method. The pure TiO2 or Fe-doped TiO2 slurry was coated onto the fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrate by the Doctor Blade method and then sintered at 450 ℃. The Mott-Schottks, plot indicates that the fiat band potential of TiO2 was shifted positively after Fe-doped TiO2. The positive shift of the fiat band potential improves the driving force of injected electrons from the LUMO of the dye to the conduction band of TiO2. This study shows that photovoltaic efficiency increased by 22.9% from 6.07% to 7.46% compared to pure TiO2, and the fill factors increased from 0.53 to 0.63.     

Photovoltaic characterization of WSe2 with the scanning tunneling microscope

In the present study we use the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) as an instrument to investigate the photovoltaic properties of semiconducting materials. The surfaces of the layered semiconductor WSe₂ were optically illuminated during the tunneling process. The resulting photo-induced tunneling current (PITC) was measured as a function of the wavelength. Microscopic information on the energy dependent generation and recombination of the photo-electrons in the vicinity of the tunneling tip was obtained by this method without the necessity of covering the surface with a conducting electrode. The analysis of the wavelength dependence of the PITC points at the existence of excitonic excitations. Compared to the spectral response of conventional photosensitive heterodiodes our PITC spectra exhibit a more structured response and an increase of the signal in the UV region. Finally, PITC studies on differently treated WSe₂ surfaces show an improved photoactivity for WSe₂ crystals treated with NaI/I₂ solutions.     

基于无源性的光伏DC/DC变换器的全局滑模控制

在光伏发电系统中,当其受环境影响时,系统输出电压及功率不稳定,主要由DC/DC变换器来实现其过程能量转换,因此研究高效的DC/DC变换器控制方法具有重要意义。引入了一种满足无源性的DC/DC变换器,同时引入一种新的指数趋近律,设计全局滑模控制策略。所设计控制方法不仅确保了系统状态的稳定性,而且提高了系统的鲁棒性,减弱了DC/DC变换器的抖动现象;并以双向Buck变换器为例,通过Matlab仿真验证了所设计控制器的有效性     

Nanoparticle-polymer photovoltaic cells

The need to develop and deploy large-scale, cost-effective, renewable energy is becoming increasingly important. In recent years photovoltaic (PV) cells based on nanoparticles blended with semiconducting polymers have achieved good power conversion efficiencies (PCE). All the nanoparticle types used in these PV cells can be considered as colloids. These include spherical, rod-like or branched organic or inorganic nanoparticles. Nanoparticle-polymer PV cells have the long-term potential to provide low cost, high-efficiency renewable energy. The maximum PCE achieved to date is about 5.5%. This value should rise as recently reported theoretical predictions suggest 10% is achievable. However, there are a number of challenges that remain to be overcome. In this review two general types of nanoparticle-polymer PV cells are considered and compared in detail. The organic nanoparticle-polymer PV cells contain fullerene derivatives (e.g., phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester, PCBM) or single-walled nanotubes as the nanoparticle phase. The second type is hybrid inorganic nanoparticle-polymer PV cells. These contain semiconducting nanoparticles that include CdSe, ZnO or PbS. The structure-property relationships that apply to both the polymer and nanoparticle phases are considered. The principles underlying nanoparticle-polymer PV cell operation are also discussed. An outcome of consideration of the literature in both areas are two sets of assembly conditions that are suggested for constructing PCBM-P3HT (P3HT is poly(3-hexylthiophene)) or CdSe-P3HT PV cells with reasonable power conversion efficiency. The maximum PCE reported for organic nanoparticle PV cells is about twice that for inorganic nanoparticle-polymer PV cells. This appears to be related to morphological differences between the respective photoactive layers. The morphological differences are attributed to differences in the colloidal stability of the nanoparticle/polymer/solvent mixtures used to prepare the photoactive layers. The principles controlling the colloid stability of the nanoparticle/polymer/solvent mixtures are discussed.     

Performance of gelled-type dye-sensitized solar cells associated with glass transition temperature of the gelatinizing polymers

Poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) with their respective T_g of 6, 32, and 145 °C were employed to gel the LiI/I₂/tertiary butylpyridine electrolyte system for preparation of the gelled-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The light-to-electricity conversion efficiencies of DSSCs gelled by PMA, PVAc, and PNIPAAm were 7.17%, 5.62%, and 3.17%, respectively under simulated AM 1.5 sunlight irradiation, implying that utilizing the polymer of lower T_g to gel the electrolytes leaded to better performance of the DSSCs. Their short-circuit current density and IPCE also showed the similar trend. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the gelled DSSCs revealed that utilizing the polymer of lower T_g resulted in lower impedance associated with the Nernstian diffusion within the electrolytes. The results were consistent with the observation that the molar conductivity of gelled electrolytes was higher as the polymer of lower T_g was applied, which can be justified by Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher (VTF) equation.     

New advances in small molecule hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells

Organic π-functional molecules are the foundation and basic component of organic optoelectronic devices.For example,for ideal carrier transporting materials,extended π-conjugation and ordered π-πstacking are necessary to enhance the charge mobility and achieve desirable results.As a promising way to convert sunlight into electricity,organometal halide perovskite solar cells(PSCs) have captured a lot of attention due to its predominant merits especially in the aspect of remarkable photovoltaic performance and much potentially low production cost.For conventional planar PSC structure,hole-transporting layer which typically consists of organic π-functional materials plays a key role in suppressing holeelectron pair recombination,promoting charge transporting and ensuring ohmic contact of back electrode.Considering the key roles of HTMs and its soaring progress in recent years,here,we will summarize recent progress in small organic π-functional materials from its diverse functions in PSCs.Besides,aiming to further promote the development of organic π-functional molecules and HTMs,a promising direction toward highly efficient HTMs will also be discussed.     

Dye-sensitized solar cell utilizing organic dyads containing triarylene conjugates

A series of organic dipolar compounds containing a donor (D), a bridge (B), and an acceptor (A), forming a D-B-A type of dyads, were synthesized by convenient methods and were utilized successfully on dye-sensitized solar cells. The central bridges were made of three linearly connected arylene groups, i.e., phenylenes or thiophenylenes. The donor groups were aromatic amines, i.e., either a diphenylamine or a naphthylphenylamine group. The acceptor group was a cyanoacrylic acid, which can be anchored onto the surface of TiO₂ in a photovoltaic device. These devices performed remarkably well, with a typical quantum efficiency of 5-7%, and optimal incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) exceeding 80%. The devices made with a naphthylphenylamine donor group performed slightly better than those made with a diphenylamine donor group. Compounds containing a phenylene-thiophenylene-phenylene bridge group performed better than those with other kinds of triarylene linkages. Their photochemical behaviors were analyzed by using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) models with the B3LYP functional.     

偶氮共轭聚合物光电特性研究进展

芳香环或杂环通过NN双键连接形成的化合物如偶氮苯、偶氮吡咯等具有π共轭结构,此类分子有顺反两种构型,他们可以在光照条件下相互转换。分子构型转变会影响电子的共轭程度及其离域特性,因此含环结构的偶氮共轭分子具有光调制特性。反式偶氮苯分子为平面结构,顺式构型分子两个苯环有一定角度的扭转分子不在同一平面,实验和理论计算结果表明偶氮苯分子的键长、键角等受溶剂和取代基影响;光照可以实现偶氮苯分子的导电性改变,目前认为其导电性改变的原因主要是光致顺反异构而改变分子尺寸而引起。通过氮氮双键连接的杂环共轭分子能显著地降低分子的能隙,并使共轭化合物在更宽的波长范围内有强吸收,能提高太阳能光伏电池的转换效率,是理想的有机光伏材料。文章还对偶氮共轭聚合物的合成方法做了介绍,分析了含偶氮结构的共轭聚合物的光相应研究现状及其未来发展趋势。