http://www.strategic-information.fr/PHOTOV/RSS Actualité du Photovoltaiquefrcontact@strategic-information.frStrategic-information.frThu, 18 Feb 2010 16:39:58 GMTThu, 18 Feb 2010 16:39:58 GMTScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0306261911003060&_version=1&md5=dd0a43d020bbf5ed27b542c45483d893Publication year: 2011 Source: Applied Energy, Volume 88, Issue 12, December 2011, Pages 4387-4399 Robert Wand, Florian Leuthold This paper examines the potential effects of Germany’s feed-in tariff policy for small roof-top solar PV systems installed between 2009 and 2030. Employing a partial equilibrium approach, we evaluate the policy by weighing the benefits from induced learning and avoided environmental externalities against the social costs of promoting residential PV. We use a dynamic optimization model that maximizes social welfare by accounting for learning-by-doing, technology diffusion, and yield-dependent demand. We find a wide range of effects on welfare, from net social costs of 2014 million € under a “business as usual” scenario to 7586 million € of net benefits under the positive prospects of PV’s development. Whereas the “business as usual” scenario underestimates actual price reductions, the positive scenario mirrors recent price developments and feed-in tariffs in the German residential PV market. Highlights ? We model feed-in tariff policies for small roof-top PV systems in Germany. ? Our partial equilibrium approach maximizes social benefits between 2009 and 2030. ? We find welfare effects between costs of 2 bn € and benefits of 7.6 bn €. - FeedTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0306261911003060&_version=1&md5=dd0a43d020bbf5ed27b542c45483d893ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811002546&_version=1&md5=031116656e96bc8c05c53a5cc8fdb64fPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume 95, Issue 8, August 2011, Pages 2497-2501 Fude Liu, C.-S. Jiang, H. Guthrey, S. Johnston, M.J. Romero, ... Using upgraded metallurgical-grade silicon (UMG-Si) is a cost-effective and energy-efficient approach for the production of solar cells. Grain boundaries (GBs) play a major role in determining the device performance of multicrystalline Si (mc-Si) solar cells. In this study two UMG-Si wafers, one from the middle part of a brick and the other from the top part of the same brick, were investigated. An excellent correlation was found between the grain misorientation and the corresponding optical response of GBs as indicated by photoluminescence (PL) imaging, electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, the PL features at random GBs depend also on the impurity levels in the wafer. In particular the PL emission was greatly enhanced in the narrow regions close to the random GB in the top wafer, which is an interesting phenomenon that may have potential application in high efficiency light-emission diodes (LEDs) based on Si. Graphical abstract Highlights ? Two UMG-Si wafers with different impurity levels were investigated. ? Excellent correlation was found between the grain misorientation and the corresponding optical response of GBs. ? PL features at random GBs depend also on the impurity levels in the wafer. - Optical response of grain boundaries in upgraded metallurgicalTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811002546&_version=1&md5=031116656e96bc8c05c53a5cc8fdb64fScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811001747&_version=1&md5=22abd9db5196cbc2c42a93cbb3af335ePublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume 95, Issue 8, August 2011, Pages 2178-2185 Jun-Hyuk Park, Seong Jun Kang, Seok-In Na, Hyun Hwi Lee, Sung-Wng Kim, ... Indium-free and acid-resistant anatase Nb-doped TiO2(NTO) electrodes are promising as economical substitutes for high-cost Sn-doped In2O3(ITO) films used in organic photovoltaics. By rapid-thermal annealing under an ambient vacuum, an insulating amorphous NTO film of low transparency was changed dramatically into a transparent and conductive anatase NTO electrode. Metallic conductivity of the annealed NTO electrode could be attributed to formation of the anatase phase and activation of the Nb dopant. Based on synchrotron X-ray scattering and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, the electrical properties of the NTO electrode could be correlated with the microstructure of the NTO film. The acid-stability of NTO film also supports its use as a substitute for ITO electrode. Unlike Ga:ZnO and Al:ZnO films, which were easily etched by acidic PEDOT:PSS solution, the NTO film was stable against this reagent. Importantly, the annealing temperature influenced the performance of the organic solar cell fabricated with the NTO electrode. This indicates that activation of Nb dopants and formation of the anatase phase play an important role in the extraction of carrier from the organic layer to the anode electrode. Graphical abstract Highlights ? We examined the characteristics of Indium-free and acid-resistant anatase Nb-doped TiO 2 (NTO) electrode. ? The NTO electrode exhibited greater chemical stability than AZO and GZO electrode. ? The NTO electrode is a promising candidate to substitute ITO electrode for OPVs. - Indium-free, acid-resistant anatase Nb-doped TiO2electrodes activated by rapid-thermal annealing for costTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811001747&_version=1&md5=22abd9db5196cbc2c42a93cbb3af335eScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0360544211003835&_version=1&md5=bc19d6fc6fd05874dccbd08f32d73edfPublication year: 2011 Source: Energy, Volume 36, Issue 8, August 2011, Pages 5424 Angel A. Bayod-Rújula, Abel Ortego-Bielsa, Amaya Martínez-Gracia - Corrigendum to “Photovoltaics On Flat Roofs: Energy Considerations” [Energy 87 (2010) 3625–3631]Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0360544211003835&_version=1&md5=bc19d6fc6fd05874dccbd08f32d73edfScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811002674&_version=1&md5=401b57bf70350783a6c6b9be5ed0de46Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume 95, Issue 9, September 2011, Pages 2610-2615 Ping-Chen Tseng, Peichen Yu, Hsin-Chu Chen, Yu-Lin Tsai, Hao-Wei Han, ... Passivation plays a critical role in silicon photovoltaics, yet how a passivation layer affects the optical characteristics of nano-patterned surfaces has rarely been discussed. In this paper, we demonstrate conical-frustum nanostructures fabricated on silicon solar cells using polystyrene colloidal lithography with various silicon–nitride (SiNx) passivation thicknesses. The omnidirectional and broadband antireflective characteristics were determined by utilizing angle-resolved reflectance spectroscopy. The conical-frustum arrays with a height of 550 nm and a SiNxthickness of 80 nm effectively suppressed the Fresnel reflection in the wavelength range from 400 to 1000 nm, up to an incidence angle of 60°. As a result, the power conversion efficiency achieved was 13.39%, which showed a 9.13% enhancement compared to that of a conventional KOH-textured silicon cell. The external quantum efficiency measurements confirmed that the photocurrent was mostly contributed by the increased optical absorption in the near-infrared. The angular cell efficiencies were estimated and showed improvements over large angles of incidence. Graphical abstract Conical-frustum silicon nanorod arrays passivated with 80 nm-thick silicon nitride enhance cell efficiency up to an angle of incidence of 60° via omnidirectional antireflection. Highlights ? Si solar cells with passivated nano-conical-frustums outperform the conventional. ? Fabrication enabled by scalable polystyrene colloidal lithography. ? Angle-resolved reflectance confirms omnidirectional and broadband antireflection. ? Enhanced quantum efficiency due to increased optical absorption in the near-infrared. ? Improved power conversion efficiency over large angles of incidence. - Angle-resolved characteristics of silicon photovoltaics with passivated conicalTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811002674&_version=1&md5=401b57bf70350783a6c6b9be5ed0de46ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0360132311001260&_version=1&md5=ac2f5cb94818dd8321110949ec1d5259Publication year: 2011 Source: Building and Environment, Volume 46, Issue 10, October 2011, Pages 2107-2113 Jair Urbanetz, Clarissa Debiazi Zomer, Ricardo Rüther The integration of photovoltaic (PV) modules on building façades and rooftops is an ideal application of solar electricity generators in the urban environment. Maximum annual performance of grid-connected PV is usually obtained with modules tilted at an angle equal to the site latitude, facing the equator. The performance of PV systems not tilted and oriented ideally can drop considerably, depending on site latitude. With grid parity – when the cost of solar electricity becomes competitive with conventional electricity – expected in many countries in the present decade, a more widespread application of PV on buildings is expected, and in this context the main goal of this paper is to demonstrate that good compromises between form and function are possible. In this work we compare the annual energy generation of a curved BIPV system installed as a car port rooftop, with an ideally-oriented and tilted, flat BIPV system installed as a building’s rooftop cover at a low-latitude site (27°S). For the one-year period analysed, the curved-shape BIPV system annual yield was 12% lower than that of the reference BIPV system, and during the summer months (November to February), the curved BIPV installation presented a higher energy yield than the latitude-tilted generator. With these results we show that a good compromise can be reached between form and function in BIPV systems. Highlights ? The declining costs of PV will make BIPV a more widespread energy source in buildings. ? BIPV must take into account both aesthetics (form) and performance (function) issues. ? Curved BIPV can reach 90% of the performance of ideally-tilted PV at low latitudes. - Compromises between form and function in grid-connected, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) at lowTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0360132311001260&_version=1&md5=ac2f5cb94818dd8321110949ec1d5259ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0306261911003060&_version=1&md5=dd0a43d020bbf5ed27b542c45483d893Publication year: 2011 Source: Applied Energy, Volume 88, Issue 12, December 2011, Pages 4387-4399 Robert Wand, Florian Leuthold This paper examines the potential effects of Germany’s feed-in tariff policy for small roof-top solar PV systems installed between 2009 and 2030. Employing a partial equilibrium approach, we evaluate the policy by weighing the benefits from induced learning and avoided environmental externalities against the social costs of promoting residential PV. We use a dynamic optimization model that maximizes social welfare by accounting for learning-by-doing, technology diffusion, and yield-dependent demand. We find a wide range of effects on welfare, from net social costs of 2014 million € under a “business as usual” scenario to 7586 million € of net benefits under the positive prospects of PV’s development. Whereas the “business as usual” scenario underestimates actual price reductions, the positive scenario mirrors recent price developments and feed-in tariffs in the German residential PV market. Highlights ? We model feed-in tariff policies for small roof-top PV systems in Germany. ? Our partial equilibrium approach maximizes social benefits between 2009 and 2030. ? We find welfare effects between costs of 2 bn € and benefits of 7.6 bn €. - FeedTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0306261911003060&_version=1&md5=dd0a43d020bbf5ed27b542c45483d893ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811004806&_version=1&md5=3be3537b3c1d0a0691d7d96b104c53e0Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 19 September 2011 Assaf Manor, Eugene A. Katz The open-circuit voltage dependence on light intensity and temperature is calculated for organic photovoltaics, taking into account the generalized Einstein relation for disordered semiconductors. The results show that open-circuit voltage losses in bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells are affected from the diffusion enhancement inherent to disordered semiconductors. The model is validated by the fitting to recently published experimental data. Graphical Abstract Highlights ? Generalized Einstein relation (GER) for disordered semiconductors is analyzed. ? GER was found to affect V oc of disordered organic PV. ? Physical model of V oc , which incorporates GER is presented. ? V oc dependences on light intensity and temperature are simulated. ? Model is validated by the fitting to recently published experimental data. - OpenTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811004806&_version=1&md5=3be3537b3c1d0a0691d7d96b104c53e0ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0378778811004348&_version=1&md5=9be38611a6d7ce75a225c48b684cf1c1Publication year: 2011 Source: Energy and Buildings, Available online 29 September 2011 Changhai Peng, Ying Huang, Zhishen Wu Highlights ? Building-Integrated Photovoltaics(BIPV)are one of the best ways to harness solar power ? This paper discusses issues concerning BIPV in architectural design in China, including how to choose between BIPV and building-attached photovoltaics (BAPV), whether it is necessary for photovoltaic components to last as long as buildings and how to design BIPV structures ? To solve problems associated with the existing photovoltaic structures in China, we design a building photovoltaic structure that allows convenient maintenance and replacement of photovoltaic components.AbstractBuilding-Integrated Photovoltaics(BIPV)are one of the best ways to harness solar power, which is the most abundant, inexhaustible and clean of all the available energy resources. This paper discusses issues concerning BIPV in architectural design in China, including how to choose between BIPV and building-attached photovoltaics (BAPV), whether it is necessary for photovoltaic components to last as long as buildings and how to design BIPV structures. The paper shows that we should consider the function, cost, technology and aesthetics of BIPV, rather than solely the high integrations. According to developments in technology and markets, photovoltaic structures and design should be focused on the maintenance and replacement of photovoltaic cell modules, rather than simply prolonging their lives. To solve problems associated with the existing photovoltaic structures in China, we design a building photovoltaic structure that allows convenient maintenance and replacement of photovoltaic components. - BuildingTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0378778811004348&_version=1&md5=9be38611a6d7ce75a225c48b684cf1c1ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1566119911003557&_version=1&md5=405f0dd6842f7cb7de7ad3b5794176dfPublication year: 2011 Source: Organic Electronics, Available online 3 November 2011 Xuee Li, Lie Chen, Yiwang Chen, Fan Li, Kai Yao A novel stable and photocrosslinkable electron-donor material, liquid-crystalline polythiophene containing cyano-biphenyl mesogenic pendant, namely, poly{3-[6-(4'-cyano-biphenyloxy)hexyl]thiopheneylenethiophene-alt-3-(6-bromohexyl)thiophene} (PTcbpTT), was designed and synthesized. The structural anisotropy originating from cyano-biphenyl mesogens can induce the PTcbpTT to assemble into a well ordered morphology and consequently lead to the red-shift absorption, enhanced photoluminescence. The thermal treatment drives further development of the morphology of the copolymer and its blend films mixed with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), towards a state of microphase separation in the nanometer scale. Furthermore, the bulk heterojunction devices based on the PTcbpTT:PCBM (1:1 wt.%) active layer have been constructed. Without extensive optimization, the LC annealing device yields an enhancement of power conversion efficiency from 0.5% to 1.2%, showing a significantly increasedJscand FF with respect to its untreated counterpart, thanks to the ordered microphase separation channels for charge transportation. The highVocvalue of 0.731 V is due to the low HOMO level of PTcbpTT. Unlike devices prepared from PTcbpTT:PCBM blend without UV treatment, photocrosslinked PTcbpTT:PCBM devices are stable even when annealed for two days at the elevated temperature of 150 °C, implying that the photocrosslinked structure dramatically suppresses largescale phase segregation. Graphical abstract Bromine-functionalized liquid crystalline copolymer with cyano-bihenyl mesogenic pendant is developed to induce the well ordered morphology by the mesogens and improved the stability via photocrosslinking. After radiation by UV, well ordered morphology can be maintained by fixing both donor and acceptor in the photocrosslinked net work. Meanwhile, the photocrosslinked structure can freeze this optimum morphology at high temperature and preserve long term performance of PSC. Highlights ? Bromine-functionalized liquid crystalline copolymer with mesogenic pendant is developed to induce the well ordered morphology. ? Well ordered morphology can be maintained by fixing both donor and acceptor in the photocrosslinked net work. ? The photocrosslinked structure can freeze this optimum morphology at high temperature and preserve long term performance of PSC. - Photocrosslinkable liquidTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1566119911003557&_version=1&md5=405f0dd6842f7cb7de7ad3b5794176dfScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1566119911003557&_version=1&md5=405f0dd6842f7cb7de7ad3b5794176dfPublication year: 2011 Source: Organic Electronics, Available online 3 November 2011 Xuee Li, Lie Chen, Yiwang Chen, Fan Li, Kai Yao A novel stable and photocrosslinkable electron-donor material, liquid-crystalline polythiophene containing cyano-biphenyl mesogenic pendant, namely, poly{3-[6-(4'-cyano-biphenyloxy)hexyl]thiopheneylenethiophene-alt-3-(6-bromohexyl)thiophene} (PTcbpTT), was designed and synthesized. The structural anisotropy originating from cyano-biphenyl mesogens can induce the PTcbpTT to assemble into a well ordered morphology and consequently lead to the red-shift absorption, enhanced photoluminescence. The thermal treatment drives further development of the morphology of the copolymer and its blend films mixed with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), towards a state of microphase separation in the nanometer scale. Furthermore, the bulk heterojunction devices based on the PTcbpTT:PCBM (1:1 wt.%) active layer have been constructed. Without extensive optimization, the LC annealing device yields an enhancement of power conversion efficiency from 0.5% to 1.2%, showing a significantly increasedJscand FF with respect to its untreated counterpart, thanks to the ordered microphase separation channels for charge transportation. The highVocvalue of 0.731 V is due to the low HOMO level of PTcbpTT. Unlike devices prepared from PTcbpTT:PCBM blend without UV treatment, photocrosslinked PTcbpTT:PCBM devices are stable even when annealed for two days at the elevated temperature of 150 °C, implying that the photocrosslinked structure dramatically suppresses largescale phase segregation. Graphical abstract Bromine-functionalized liquid crystalline copolymer with cyano-bihenyl mesogenic pendant is developed to induce the well ordered morphology by the mesogens and improved the stability via photocrosslinking. After radiation by UV, well ordered morphology can be maintained by fixing both donor and acceptor in the photocrosslinked net work. Meanwhile, the photocrosslinked structure can freeze this optimum morphology at high temperature and preserve long term performance of PSC. Highlights ? Bromine-functionalized liquid crystalline copolymer with mesogenic pendant is developed to induce the well ordered morphology. ? Well ordered morphology can be maintained by fixing both donor and acceptor in the photocrosslinked net work. ? The photocrosslinked structure can freeze this optimum morphology at high temperature and preserve long term performance of PSC. - Photocrosslinkable liquidTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1566119911003557&_version=1&md5=405f0dd6842f7cb7de7ad3b5794176dfScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005794&_version=1&md5=72edc4a7b71fc15d4683e0fde2696d6fPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 9 November 2011 Daisuke Yokoyama, Zhong Qiang Wang, Yong-Jin Pu, Kenta Kobayashi, Junji Kido, ... For high performance of organic thin-film photovoltaics (OPVs), high absorption and efficient charge transport of active materials are critical to compensate the short exciton diffusion length and low carrier mobility in organic semiconductors. It is desirable to control over molecular orientation in active layers to enhance both optical and electrical properties. In this letter, we show that amorphous donors having a planar molecular shape can be horizontally oriented, enabling active layers in OPVs to be thin while keeping high absorption in the devices. Based on anisotropic properties in optical design, a power conversion efficiency of more than 4% was achieved from a simple planar heterojunction. This result shows that using horizontally oriented amorphous materials is an effective approach to enhance OPV efficiency. - High-efficiency simple planar heterojunction organic thinTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005794&_version=1&md5=72edc4a7b71fc15d4683e0fde2696d6fScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022024811009237&_version=1&md5=ea82b3e9a956993aa80c1361483c7b84Publication year: 2011 Source: Journal of Crystal Growth, Available online 25 November 2011 C.M. Fetzer, X.Q. Liu, J. Chang, W. Hong, A. Palmer, ... Multijunction solar cells are fabricated using organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) to deposit subcells of GaInP and GaInAs on 150 mm diameter Ge substrates. We review the general challenges of achieving solar cell epitaxial growth on 150 mm dia. Ge and discuss basic GaInP material characterization. Metamorphic GaInP/GaInAs/Ge C4MJ epitaxial layers are characterized by in-situ curvature measurements during growth. A 98.5% relaxation is measured by high resolution X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping, and a threading dislocation density of 1.3×10 cmis measured by cathodoluminescence in active regions of the device. Test batches of 20kWp of cells, 1.0 cmin aperture area, are grown and fabricated on 100 mm and 150 mm dia. Ge wafers and average 40.2% and 40.1% efficiency, respectively, under 50 W/cmAM1.D illuminated current-voltage (LIV) testing. Finally, we demonstrate very large area , >72 cm, triple junction XTJ space devices, averaging 29.3% efficiency for 73 such devices under space LIV testing (0.1353 mW/cm, 28 °C, AM0). Highlights ? We use OMVPE to deposit epitaxial layers for high efficiency triple junction (3 J) GaInP/GaInAs/Ge solar cells on 150 mm dia. Ge wafers. ? Challenges of III-V epitaxial growth for these devices are reviewed. ? Metamorphic terrestrial concentrator photovoltaics reaching 40% efficiency are demonstrated. ? Epitaxial devices in excess of 72 cmin area for 30% efficient space 3J devices are shown. - Progress in large area organometallic vapor phase epitaxy for IIITue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022024811009237&_version=1&md5=ea82b3e9a956993aa80c1361483c7b84ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006106&_version=1&md5=20fd9edce15d78381785dcbd8b6cc81bPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 30 November 2011 Yuan Li, Huihui Huang, Mingjun Wang, Wanyi Nie, Wenxiao Huang, ... The fiber-based solar cell is an example of a three dimensional photovoltaic architecture that uses the natural mode structure of optical fibers to enhance light capture. In this work we explore the spectral response of such cells when the thickness of the absorbing layer is varied. We demonstrate two important consequences associated with this architecture. The first is that fiber-based devices generally require a thinner active layer than the analogous planar structure. This helps to avoid exciton recombination and reflection loss in the geometry. Secondly, the geometry exhibits a broader absorption and external quantum efficiency than its planar counterpart. We interpret this as being due to enhanced absorption of charge transfer excitons. Graphical Abstract Highlights ? We modeled the light distribution in multi-layer of the fiber-based solar cell. ? We proved why fiber cells exhibit better EQE than the planar configuration. ? Fiber cells can get high J sc using very thinner absorber layer (<70 nm). ? Fiber cells enhance the absorption of charge transfer excitons. - Spectral response of fiberTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006106&_version=1&md5=20fd9edce15d78381785dcbd8b6cc81bScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022024811010013&_version=1&md5=8cd3a96390716211754914868358d3baPublication year: 2011 Source: Journal of Crystal Growth, Available online 7 December 2011 Ziqing Duan, Yicheng Lu, Aurelien Du Pasquier MgxZn1-xO has been used in various photovoltaic cells because its energy bandgap can be tailored by controlling the Mg composition in this ternary compound. The MgxZn1-xO layers with different surface morphologies including two-dimensional (2-D) films and one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructures are preferred for conventional p-n junction solar cells and polymer-inorganic hybrid solar cells, respectively. The MgxZn1-xO layers are sequentially grown on Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) transparent conductive electrode by using metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The effect of the buffer layers on MgxZn1-xO surface morphology is investigated. It is observed that MgxZn1-xO deposited at ~500C on a low-temperature (~250C) ZnO buffer layer is in form of a 2-D dense and smooth films; whereas, on a high-temperature (~520C) ZnO buffer layer is in form of 1-D nanostructures. Based on structure characterization results, a growth mechanism in terms of nucleation and texturing is proposed to explain the buffer layer effect. Highlights ? In this study we sequentially grow Mg x Zn 1-x O layers on GZO films by MOCVD. ? We investigate the effect of the buffer layers on Mg x Zn 1-x O surface morphology. ? A low T ZnO buffer is helpful for the formation of Mg x Zn 1-x O dense and smooth film. ? A high T ZnO buffer is beneficial for the growth of Mg x Zn 1-x O nanostructures. ? A growth mechanism is proposed to explain the buffer layer effect. - Morphological control of MgxZn1Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022024811010013&_version=1&md5=8cd3a96390716211754914868358d3baScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0379677911004917&_version=1&md5=51755dcb03e12f4bc07cc31907bc4cbbPublication year: 2011 Source: Synthetic Metals, Available online 14 December 2011 Nigel J. Alley, Kang-Shyang Liao, Enrico Andreoli, Sampath Dias, Eoghan P. Dillon, ... The use of carbon nanotube-fullerene hybrid additives to the standard P3HT:PCBM blend bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic device is presented. The effects of incorporating single-wall carbon nanotubes, functionalized with linked C60molecules by amination on device characteristics are detailed. The concentration of the carbon nanotube-fullerene hybrid in the active layer blend was varied to ascertain their cumulative impact on device performance in terms of open circuit voltage, short circuit current, fill factor and efficiency. We found that decreasing the length of the carbon nanotubes to ~60 nm through fluorination and subsequent thermal treatment was beneficial in terms of eliminating shorted devices allowing much improved diode formation. A trend of improving device performance as a function of concentration of the carbon nanotube-hybrids in a heterojunction of P3HT:PCBM was observed. Highlights ? Single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with fullerenes as a hybrid additive in organic photovoltaics. ? Shortened single-walled carbon nanotubes allow for better diode formation and reduce shorted devices. ? The addition of carbon nanotubes or fullerene hybrids do not readily improve organic photovoltaic device efficiency. ? We conclude that pure semiconducting carbon nanotubes are required as the base additive material. - Effect of carbon nanotube-fullerene hybrid additive on P3HT:PCBM bulkTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0379677911004917&_version=1&md5=51755dcb03e12f4bc07cc31907bc4cbbScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006775&_version=1&md5=fc27de7d69e7a7d0f200460a9fad55a0Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 16 December 2011 Jihoon Kim, Seok-In Na, Han-Ki Kim We have demonstrated inkjet-printed indium–zinc–tin-oxide (IZTO) electrodes using IZTO nanoparticle ink for printable organic solar cells (OSCs). By inkjetting of nanosize IZTO particles and rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of the inkjet-printed IZTO films, we were able to obtain directly patterned IZTO transparent conducting electrodes with a sheet resistance of 20.6 O/square and an average transmittance of 81.29% without using a conventional photolithography process. Because the inkjet-printed IZTO electrodes were prepared by overlapping the ink-droplets ejected from the nozzle, the mechanism of IZTO nanoink deposition on the surface was investigated. This mechanism defines an optimal ink-droplet pitch to achieve a uniform printing of IZTO lines from the ink-droplets. Despite the low sheet resistance and high transmittance, the OSC fabricated on the inkjet-printed IZTO electrode shows open circuit voltage of 0.45 V, short circuit current of 5.74 mA/cm, fill factor of 31.22%, and power conversion efficiency of 0.81% due to porous microstructure of the sintered IZTO nanoparticles. This indicates that the direct patterning of IZTO film by inkjet printing is a promising printable transparent electrode for printable OSCs. Graphical abstract Highlights ? Characteristics of inkjet-printed InZnSnO electrodes were investigated for OPVs. ? Directly patterned IZTO electrode was fabricated using IZTO nanoparticles. ? Inkjet-printed IZTO is a promising printable electrode for printable OPVs. - Inkjet printing of transparent InZnSnO conducting electrodes from nanoTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006775&_version=1&md5=fc27de7d69e7a7d0f200460a9fad55a0ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006489&_version=1&md5=c50708e5b1674f05c5d65321a3bf0f3aPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 16 December 2011 K. Ranjith, S.K. Swathi, Prajwal Kumar, Praveen C. Ramamurthy Alternating copolymer of 7,9-di(thiophen-2-yl)-8H-cyclopenta[a]acenaphthylen-8-one-co-benzothiadiazole was synthesized by palladium(0) catalyzed Stille coupling reaction. This solution processable copolymer shows an excellent thermal stability and has a broad absorption range from 300 to 800 nm with a band gap of about 1.51 eV. High LUMO energy level and low band gap of the synthesized copolymers suggest that, this copolymer will be a suitable donor material for use in an organic photovoltaic device. Photovoltaic devices were fabricated from the blend of copolymer and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester as the active material. Graphical abstract Highlights ? Synthesize and characterization of a solution processable alternating copolymer of dithienylcyclopentadienone and benzothiadiazole. ? Thermal and optical characterization of the synthesized copolymer. ? Electrochemical studies and HOMO–LUMO level determination. ? Bulk heterojunction solar cells fabricated from a blend of PCBM with the copolymer. - Dithienylcyclopentadienone derivative-coTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006489&_version=1&md5=c50708e5b1674f05c5d65321a3bf0f3aScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0306261911008294&_version=1&md5=73f3a6a4dbe4e249640add71c0567338Publication year: 2012 Source: Applied Energy, Available online 9 January 2012 Aneta Strzalka, Nazmul Alam, Eric Duminil, Volker Coors, Ursula Eicker For a large scale implementation of photovoltaics (PV) in the urban environment, building integration is a major issue. This includes installations on roof or facade surfaces with orientations that are not ideal for maximum energy production. To evaluate the performance of PV systems in urban settings and compare it with the building user’s electricity consumption, three-dimensional geometry modelling was combined with photovoltaic system simulations. As an example, the modern residential district of Scharnhauser Park (SHP) near Stuttgart/Germany was used to calculate the potential of photovoltaic energy and to evaluate the local own consumption of the energy produced.For most buildings of the district only annual electrical consumption data was available and only selected buildings have electronic metering equipment. The available roof area for one of these multi-family case study buildings was used for a detailed hourly simulation of the PV power production, which was then compared to the hourly measured electricity consumption. The results were extrapolated to all buildings of the analyzed area by normalizing them to the annual consumption data. The PV systems can produce 35% of the quarter’s total electricity consumption and half of this generated electricity is directly used within the buildings. Highlights ? We implement the photovoltaics on a large scale. ? We use three-dimensional modelling for accurate photovoltaic simulations. ? We consider the shadowing effect in the photovoltaic simulation. ? We validate the simulated results using detailed hourly measured data. - Large scale integration of photovoltaics in citiesTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0306261911008294&_version=1&md5=73f3a6a4dbe4e249640add71c0567338Google News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RMasdar Institute announces Programme Line-Up for Young Future Energy Leaders ... ElectroIQ The innovative clean-tech method applies nanostructures to improve the efficiency of solar photovoltaic cells, allowing manufacturers - through only one extra manufacturing step to significantly reduce the unwanted reflection of sunlight. ... and more » - Masdar Institute announces Programme LineTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RBRIEF-RESEARCH ALERT-Barclays cuts targets on Centrotherm Photovoltaics ... London South East The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Datafeed and UK data supplied by NETbuilder and Interactive Data. ... and more » - BRIEFTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RWins Contracts Totalling More Than $38.0 Million ElectroIQ Second, Riggs Distler was awarded a US$8.0-million engineering procurement and construction contract by a US-based electricity provider with regards to the installation of a five megawatt utility grade photovoltaic solar ground mounted system in ... and more » - Wins Contracts Totalling More Than $38.0 MillionTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RNanometrics Announces Advanced Metrology Milestone; More than 1000 Optical ... ElectroIQ Nanometrics is a leading provider of advanced, high-performance process control metrology and inspection systems used primarily in the fabrication of semiconductors, high-brightness LEDs, data storage devices and solar photovoltaics . ... and more » - Nanometrics Announces Advanced Metrology Milestone; More than 1000 Optical ...Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RE Ink, Cypak, Cambrios Selected As Top Companies in Printed, Organic, and ... MarketWatch (press release) To see which companies are best candidates for alliances, Lux Research applied the Lux Innovation Grid to rate technology developers in displays, organic photovoltaics (OPVs), smart packaging, transparent conductive films (TCFs), and thin-film ... and more » - E Ink, Cypak, Cambrios Selected As Top Companies in Printed, Organic, and ...Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=Rpv magazine No sign of "Solyndra effect" pv magazine Downstream companies (USD339 million), crystalline-silicon photovoltaics (USD338 million), concentrated solar power (USD308 million) and concentrated photovoltaics (129 million), all followed thin film. Of the thin-film VC investments, emerging CIGS ... and more » - No sign of "Solyndra effect"Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RDubai launches Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park ElectroIQ "The first project of the park will witness the production of power using photovoltaic cell technology, with a production capacity of 10MW by 2013. By 2030, the park will produce 1000MW on the completion of all its phases," he added. and more » - Dubai launches Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar ParkTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RDiehl AKO Photovoltaics – exhibitor at the South-East European Solar Exhibition RenewableEnergyWorld.com What do you think will be the future of photovoltaic technologies in the next 5 years ? From the market point of view I think in the next couple of years the market will consolidate and overcapacity will force the producer to lower costs even more. ... - Diehl AKO Photovoltaics – exhibitor at the SouthTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RPV-Tech (blog) Record German PV installations should lead to major FiT mechanism changes PV-Tech (blog) Mark Osborne is currently the Senior News Editor for Photovoltaics International and PV-Tech website. He has launched multiple technology titles in print and online covering manufacturing in the automotive, shipping, semiconductor and solar sectors in ... and more » - Record German PV installations should lead to major FiT mechanism changesTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RThomasLloyd Announces Appointment of Matthias Altieri as Head of Solar Energy ElectroIQ Prior to joining ThomasLloyd he spent five years as Vice President with Q-Cells, one of the world leading photovoltaic companies where he was responsible for Business Development. In that role he drove Q-Cells' worldwide expansion of its solar energy ... and more » - ThomasLloyd Announces Appointment of Matthias Altieri as Head of Solar EnergyTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle Actualités - Photovoltaique@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RDes artisans regroupés pour le photovoltaïque dans l'Orne Ouest-France Photovoltaïque . Trois artisans de la région du Mêle-sur-Sarthe, dans l'Orne, se sont regroupés pour monter des panneaux solaires. Ils auraient pu rester chacun dans son coin. Trois artisans ont eu l'idée de créer un groupement pour monter des panneaux ... et plus encore » - Des artisans regroupés pour le photovoltaïque dans l’OrneTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle Actualités - Photovoltaique@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RPhotovoltaïque agricole: les modules Bosch résistent à la ... Enviscope Le TÜV Rheinland et le Photovoltaik-Institut de Berlin ont confirmé la qualité des produits Bosch Solar Energy avec l'attribution de nouveaux certificats pour le module 60 cellules c-Si M 60 EU 30117. Le test de résistance à la corrosion par l'ammoniac ... et plus encore » - Photovoltaïque agricole: les modules Bosch résistent à la ...Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle Actualités - Photovoltaique@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RRTBF Un home veut s'équiper d'un champ photovoltaïque , les voisins pestent RTBF Le gestionnaire d'une maison de repos veut installer près de 1700 m² de panneaux photovoltaïques pour produire lui-même son électricité. A Marchovelette, près de Namur, le gestionnaire d'une maison de repos veut installer un champ de panneaux ... et plus encore » - Un home veut s’équiper d’un champ photovoltaïque, les voisins pestentTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle Actualités - Photovoltaique@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RL'express.mu La Réunion : les investissements industriels en chute libre L'express.mu Le président Nicolas Sarkozy avait annoncé, en janvier 2011, que les tarifs de rachat de l'électricité photovoltaïque allaient être revus à la hausse à La Réunion. Quelques mois plus tard, il a fait… exactement l'inverse. Nicolas Sarkozy est venu en ... - La Réunion : les investissements industriels en chute libreTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle Actualités - Photovoltaique@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R10/01/12 14:31 STMicroelectronics : cité dans le dossier Photowatt ... Challenges.fr L'hypothèse ST avait fait son chemin du fait de sa diversification actuelle vers le photovoltaïque , et de la proximité géographique entre les deux sociétés, qui officient depuis l'Isère. D'autres dossiers plus ou moins crédibles auraient été déposés. ... et plus encore » - 10/01/12 14:31 STMicroelectronics : cité dans le dossier Photowatt ...Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle Actualités - Photovoltaique@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RLe fabricant de panneaux solaires Photowatt suscite les convoitises Libération Le pionnier français du photovoltaïque emploie 442 salariés à Bourgoin-Jallieu (Isère). Il "a suscité plus de dix marques d'intérêt" dont celles "émanant de sociétés de taille importante et qui semblent crédibles", a indiqué mardi à l'AFP le président ... et plus encore » - Le fabricant de panneaux solaires Photowatt suscite les convoitisesTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0306261911003060&_version=1&md5=dd0a43d020bbf5ed27b542c45483d893Publication year: 2011 Source: Applied Energy, Volume 88, Issue 12, December 2011, Pages 4387-4399 Robert Wand, Florian Leuthold This paper examines the potential effects of Germany’s feed-in tariff policy for small roof-top solar PV systems installed between 2009 and 2030. Employing a partial equilibrium approach, we evaluate the policy by weighing the benefits from induced learning and avoided environmental externalities against the social costs of promoting residential PV. We use a dynamic optimization model that maximizes social welfare by accounting for learning-by-doing, technology diffusion, and yield-dependent demand. We find a wide range of effects on welfare, from net social costs of 2014 million € under a “business as usual” scenario to 7586 million € of net benefits under the positive prospects of PV’s development. Whereas the “business as usual” scenario underestimates actual price reductions, the positive scenario mirrors recent price developments and feed-in tariffs in the German residential PV market. Highlights ? We model feed-in tariff policies for small roof-top PV systems in Germany. ? Our partial equilibrium approach maximizes social benefits between 2009 and 2030. ? We find welfare effects between costs of 2 bn € and benefits of 7.6 bn €. - FeedSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0306261911003060&_version=1&md5=dd0a43d020bbf5ed27b542c45483d893ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0040609011009874&_version=1&md5=9ac5fa36ac148d80195a80680d14d8c6Publication year: 2011 Source: Thin Solid Films, Available online 30 April 2011 Winfried Hoffmann, Thomas Pellkofer Thin Film technologies based on physical vapour and plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PVD and PECVD) have been developed for a number of high-tech industries over the last decades. Prominent examples are the semiconductor and display industry as well as large area architectural glass and flexible substrates deposition. Inherently linked with this development was the well known price experience curve for products in the respective industries. Analysing the price experience curves for PV crystalline silicon modules over the last 30 years and those of other Thin Film based industries, it will become evident that cost efficient PV Thin Film technologies or Thin Films in conjunction with wafer based c-Si are a prerequisite to meet the anticipated cost and price goals for the upcoming decade. As PV will demonstrate to become one of the major energy provider in the future by contributing significantly to meet the goal of 100% end energy by only renewable technologies beyond 2050 we will see a huge increase of appropriate Thin Film technologies in the years to come. - Thin films in photovoltaics: Technologies and perspectivesSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0040609011009874&_version=1&md5=9ac5fa36ac148d80195a80680d14d8c6ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0379677911000956&_version=1&md5=ce09be3ebb9cbd6ab19bf56b5198eba7Publication year: 2011 Source: Synthetic Metals, Volume 161, Issues 11-12, June 2011, Pages 1014-1021 Ziqi Liang, Russell A. Cormier, Alexandre M. Nardes, Brian A. Gregg Perylene diimides are known as promising n-type semiconductor building blocks. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of a set of three soluble poly(perylene diimide)s and their preliminary characterization in organic photovoltaic cells. These polymers are made through the polycondensation of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) with a variety of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)- or poly(propylene glycol) (PPG)-based diamine comonomers. The flexible spacer offers increased solubility in organic solvents and allows the perylene core to assume a conformation that promotes favorable cofacial p–p interactions. Mixtures of these polymers with the hole-transporting polymer, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) result in significant fluorescence quenching. However, the phase separation occurs on a scale too large for a bulk heterojunction solar cell. The PPGylated poly(perylene diimide) shows an unusually low free electron concentration (~1.0 × 10 cm) and therefore makes an excellent model system for future doping studies. These new polymers may have promise as stable electron-conductive layers with large light-absorptivities in solution-processable applications of organic electronics. - Developing perylene diimide based acceptor polymers for organic photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0379677911000956&_version=1&md5=ce09be3ebb9cbd6ab19bf56b5198eba7ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0038092X11001277&_version=1&md5=05e1dae660497e12fcc3292484808f4bPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy, Volume 85, Issue 6, June 2011, Pages 1171 F.A. Nüesch, H.M. Upadhyaya, T.M. Razykov, A.N. Tiwari - Introduction to the special issue on organic photovoltaics and dye sensitized solar cellsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0038092X11001277&_version=1&md5=05e1dae660497e12fcc3292484808f4bScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S004060901100887X&_version=1&md5=0c3232b0948418536e2f87a0f11c5f5ePublication year: 2011 Source: Thin Solid Films, Volume 519, Issue 18, 1 July 2011, Pages 6169-6173 Amrita Haldar, Soniya D. Yambem, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel J. Alley, Eoghan P. Dillon, ... Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) is the most commonly used anode as a transparent electrode and more recently as an anode for organic photovoltaics (OPVs). However, there are significant drawbacks in using ITO which include high material costs, mechanical instability including brittleness and poor electrical properties which limit its use in low-cost flexible devices. We present initial results of poly(3-hexylthiophene): phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester OPVs showing that an efficiency of 1.9% (short-circuit current 7.01 mA/cm, open-circuit voltage 0.55 V, fill factor 0.49) can be attained using an ultra thin film of gold coated glass as the device anode. The initial I-V characteristics demonstrate that using high work function metals when the thin film is kept ultra thin can be used as a replacement to ITO due to their greater stability and better morphological control. - Organic photovoltaics using thin gold film as an alternative anode to indium tin oxideSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S004060901100887X&_version=1&md5=0c3232b0948418536e2f87a0f11c5f5eScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811002546&_version=1&md5=031116656e96bc8c05c53a5cc8fdb64fPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume 95, Issue 8, August 2011, Pages 2497-2501 Fude Liu, C.-S. Jiang, H. Guthrey, S. Johnston, M.J. Romero, ... Using upgraded metallurgical-grade silicon (UMG-Si) is a cost-effective and energy-efficient approach for the production of solar cells. Grain boundaries (GBs) play a major role in determining the device performance of multicrystalline Si (mc-Si) solar cells. In this study two UMG-Si wafers, one from the middle part of a brick and the other from the top part of the same brick, were investigated. An excellent correlation was found between the grain misorientation and the corresponding optical response of GBs as indicated by photoluminescence (PL) imaging, electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, the PL features at random GBs depend also on the impurity levels in the wafer. In particular the PL emission was greatly enhanced in the narrow regions close to the random GB in the top wafer, which is an interesting phenomenon that may have potential application in high efficiency light-emission diodes (LEDs) based on Si. Graphical abstract Highlights ? Two UMG-Si wafers with different impurity levels were investigated. ? Excellent correlation was found between the grain misorientation and the corresponding optical response of GBs. ? PL features at random GBs depend also on the impurity levels in the wafer. - Optical response of grain boundaries in upgraded metallurgicalSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811002546&_version=1&md5=031116656e96bc8c05c53a5cc8fdb64fScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811001747&_version=1&md5=22abd9db5196cbc2c42a93cbb3af335ePublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume 95, Issue 8, August 2011, Pages 2178-2185 Jun-Hyuk Park, Seong Jun Kang, Seok-In Na, Hyun Hwi Lee, Sung-Wng Kim, ... Indium-free and acid-resistant anatase Nb-doped TiO2(NTO) electrodes are promising as economical substitutes for high-cost Sn-doped In2O3(ITO) films used in organic photovoltaics. By rapid-thermal annealing under an ambient vacuum, an insulating amorphous NTO film of low transparency was changed dramatically into a transparent and conductive anatase NTO electrode. Metallic conductivity of the annealed NTO electrode could be attributed to formation of the anatase phase and activation of the Nb dopant. Based on synchrotron X-ray scattering and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, the electrical properties of the NTO electrode could be correlated with the microstructure of the NTO film. The acid-stability of NTO film also supports its use as a substitute for ITO electrode. Unlike Ga:ZnO and Al:ZnO films, which were easily etched by acidic PEDOT:PSS solution, the NTO film was stable against this reagent. Importantly, the annealing temperature influenced the performance of the organic solar cell fabricated with the NTO electrode. This indicates that activation of Nb dopants and formation of the anatase phase play an important role in the extraction of carrier from the organic layer to the anode electrode. Graphical abstract Highlights ? We examined the characteristics of Indium-free and acid-resistant anatase Nb-doped TiO 2 (NTO) electrode. ? The NTO electrode exhibited greater chemical stability than AZO and GZO electrode. ? The NTO electrode is a promising candidate to substitute ITO electrode for OPVs. - Indium-free, acid-resistant anatase Nb-doped TiO2electrodes activated by rapid-thermal annealing for costSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811001747&_version=1&md5=22abd9db5196cbc2c42a93cbb3af335eScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0360544211003835&_version=1&md5=bc19d6fc6fd05874dccbd08f32d73edfPublication year: 2011 Source: Energy, Volume 36, Issue 8, August 2011, Pages 5424 Angel A. Bayod-Rújula, Abel Ortego-Bielsa, Amaya Martínez-Gracia - Corrigendum to “Photovoltaics On Flat Roofs: Energy Considerations” [Energy 87 (2010) 3625–3631]Sun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0360544211003835&_version=1&md5=bc19d6fc6fd05874dccbd08f32d73edfScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0379677911003079&_version=1&md5=27f4fd75a3ea820aed5c1fbd3d0d1e85Publication year: 2011 Source: Synthetic Metals, Volume 161, Issues 17-18, September 2011, Pages 2001-2005 Matthias A. Ruderer, Michael Hinterstocker, Peter Müller-Buschbaum The incorporation of an organic dye in the active layer of a polymer-based solar cell and its structural and spectroscopic influence is investigated. The phthalocyanine derivative, 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octabutoxy-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (OPc), is incorporated in the blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)-propyl-1-phenyl-(6,6)C61(PCBM) forming a ternary blend which expands the absorption range as compared with the binary P3HT:PCBM system. Absorption and structural characterizations of the single components and the ternary blend films reveal structural changes due to blending and annealing of the ternary system. The OPc is found to be homogenously distributed in the polymer-based film rather then aggregating. Photovoltaic performance measurements complement the investigation showing the absence of improvement by addition of OPc. Graphical abstract Highlights ? The organic dye OPc is incorporated in polymer-based solar cell P3HT:PCBM. ? Formation of ternary blend shows extended absorption. ? Photovoltaic performance is decreasing with organic dye content. ? No aggregation of OPc is observed in the ternary blend films. - Structure in ternary blend systems for organic photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0379677911003079&_version=1&md5=27f4fd75a3ea820aed5c1fbd3d0d1e85ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811002674&_version=1&md5=401b57bf70350783a6c6b9be5ed0de46Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume 95, Issue 9, September 2011, Pages 2610-2615 Ping-Chen Tseng, Peichen Yu, Hsin-Chu Chen, Yu-Lin Tsai, Hao-Wei Han, ... Passivation plays a critical role in silicon photovoltaics, yet how a passivation layer affects the optical characteristics of nano-patterned surfaces has rarely been discussed. In this paper, we demonstrate conical-frustum nanostructures fabricated on silicon solar cells using polystyrene colloidal lithography with various silicon–nitride (SiNx) passivation thicknesses. The omnidirectional and broadband antireflective characteristics were determined by utilizing angle-resolved reflectance spectroscopy. The conical-frustum arrays with a height of 550 nm and a SiNxthickness of 80 nm effectively suppressed the Fresnel reflection in the wavelength range from 400 to 1000 nm, up to an incidence angle of 60°. As a result, the power conversion efficiency achieved was 13.39%, which showed a 9.13% enhancement compared to that of a conventional KOH-textured silicon cell. The external quantum efficiency measurements confirmed that the photocurrent was mostly contributed by the increased optical absorption in the near-infrared. The angular cell efficiencies were estimated and showed improvements over large angles of incidence. Graphical abstract Conical-frustum silicon nanorod arrays passivated with 80 nm-thick silicon nitride enhance cell efficiency up to an angle of incidence of 60° via omnidirectional antireflection. Highlights ? Si solar cells with passivated nano-conical-frustums outperform the conventional. ? Fabrication enabled by scalable polystyrene colloidal lithography. ? Angle-resolved reflectance confirms omnidirectional and broadband antireflection. ? Enhanced quantum efficiency due to increased optical absorption in the near-infrared. ? Improved power conversion efficiency over large angles of incidence. - Angle-resolved characteristics of silicon photovoltaics with passivated conicalSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811002674&_version=1&md5=401b57bf70350783a6c6b9be5ed0de46ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811004144&_version=1&md5=a54017f6c23c8b8cd570c623c5b71e84Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 8 September 2011 Roland Steim, Tayebeh Ameri, Pavel Schilinsky, Christoph Waldauf, Gilles Dennler, ... Here we report on organic photovoltaic's (OPV) suitable for low light applications. In this paper, we illustrate the impact ofRsandRpfor indoor and outdoor applications. In addition, we propose a simple physics approach to predict the behavior of organic solar cells under various illumination intensities through electrical modeling. The combination of simulation and modeling allows to define a set of design rules for OPVs under low light illumination. The performance of various organic solar cells under low light intensity is compared with our predictions and excellent correlation is found. OPV shows high performance under low light conditions. Graphical abstract Highlights ? Organic photovoltaic shows high performance under low light conditions. ? Low light performance is investigated experimentally and by simulation. ? Requirements for low light applications are analyzed. - Organic photovoltaics for low light applicationsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811004144&_version=1&md5=a54017f6c23c8b8cd570c623c5b71e84ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811002121&_version=1&md5=046b70d8adee76c87b311d3fa8291c5cPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume 95, Issue 10, October 2011, Pages 2745-2751 Vikram V. Iyengar, Barada K. Nayak, Karren L. More, Harry M. Meyer, Michael D. Biegalski, ... In this work, we report a detailed material study of ultrafast laser textured silicon surfaces to gain insight into the impact of ultrafast laser processing conditions on photovoltaic device properties. A comprehensive study of the ultrafast laser processed silicon is achieved by determination of crystal structure and elemental compositional changes using transmission electron microscopy, compositional mapping by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and depth profiling compositional determination using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We have observed material non-homogeneity, impurity incorporation and strained silicon, all limited to the surface. A combination of chemical etching and thermal annealing was used to remove the laser induced changes and the material was restored to its starting quality. Further, silicon solar cell devices on such defect-etched surfaces are fabricated. These devices are characterized through darki–vanalysis and Fourier transform deep level transient spectroscopy for defect analysis. Graphical abstract Highlights ? Ultrafast laser texturing of silicon surfaces. ? Laser induced self-organized micro-structures for light trapping. ? Material and electrical study of ultrafast laser textured silicon surfaces. ? Laser-affected regions removed by post-texturing treatments to restore original material quality. ? Need for optimized surface passivation schemes. - Properties of ultrafast laser textured silicon for photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811002121&_version=1&md5=046b70d8adee76c87b311d3fa8291c5cScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S092134491100142X&_version=1&md5=db49c2d37efd52aa4ab37684d91c2890Publication year: 2011 Source: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 55, Issue 12, October 2011, Pages 1119-1128 Pilar Swart, Jo Dewulf, Herman Van Langenhove, Koen Moonens, Kristof Dessein, ... The overall resource requirements for the production of germanium wafers for III–V multi-junction solar cells applied in concentrator photovoltaics have been assessed based on up to date process information. By employing the cumulative energy demand (CED) method and the cumulative exergy extraction from the natural environment (CEENE) method the following resources have been included in the assessment: fossil resources, nuclear resources, renewable resources, land resources, atmospheric resources, metal resources, mineral resources and water resources. The CED has been determined as 216 MJ and the CEENE has been determined as 258 MJex. In addition partial energy and exergy payback times have been calculated for the base case, which entails the installation of the high concentration photovoltaics (HCPVs) in the Southwestern USA, resulting in payback times of around 4 days for the germanium wafer production. Due to applying concentration technology the germanium wafer accounts for only 3% of the overall resource consumption of an HCPV system. A scenario analysis on the electricity input to the wafer production and on the country of installation of the HCPV has been performed, showing the importance of these factors on the cumulative resource consumption of the wafer production and the partial payback times. Highlights • The Ge-wafer production for concentrator solar cells was inventoried and assessed. • The cumulative energy demand was determined as 216 MJ wafer. • The cumulative exergy extraction from the natural environment was 258 MJ ex  wafer. • System installation in the SW USA results in Ge-wafer payback times of ca. 4 days. • The Ge-wafer represents only 3% of the concentrator PV system resource requirements. - Assessment of the overall resource consumption of germanium wafer production for high concentration photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S092134491100142X&_version=1&md5=db49c2d37efd52aa4ab37684d91c2890ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0360132311001260&_version=1&md5=ac2f5cb94818dd8321110949ec1d5259Publication year: 2011 Source: Building and Environment, Volume 46, Issue 10, October 2011, Pages 2107-2113 Jair Urbanetz, Clarissa Debiazi Zomer, Ricardo Rüther The integration of photovoltaic (PV) modules on building façades and rooftops is an ideal application of solar electricity generators in the urban environment. Maximum annual performance of grid-connected PV is usually obtained with modules tilted at an angle equal to the site latitude, facing the equator. The performance of PV systems not tilted and oriented ideally can drop considerably, depending on site latitude. With grid parity – when the cost of solar electricity becomes competitive with conventional electricity – expected in many countries in the present decade, a more widespread application of PV on buildings is expected, and in this context the main goal of this paper is to demonstrate that good compromises between form and function are possible. In this work we compare the annual energy generation of a curved BIPV system installed as a car port rooftop, with an ideally-oriented and tilted, flat BIPV system installed as a building’s rooftop cover at a low-latitude site (27°S). For the one-year period analysed, the curved-shape BIPV system annual yield was 12% lower than that of the reference BIPV system, and during the summer months (November to February), the curved BIPV installation presented a higher energy yield than the latitude-tilted generator. With these results we show that a good compromise can be reached between form and function in BIPV systems. Highlights ? The declining costs of PV will make BIPV a more widespread energy source in buildings. ? BIPV must take into account both aesthetics (form) and performance (function) issues. ? Curved BIPV can reach 90% of the performance of ideally-tilted PV at low latitudes. - Compromises between form and function in grid-connected, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) at lowSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0360132311001260&_version=1&md5=ac2f5cb94818dd8321110949ec1d5259ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0969804311003319&_version=1&md5=f0adce8177d29a65a8dcd334939b4915Publication year: 2011 Source: Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Volume 69, Issue 10, October 2011, Pages 1365-1368 J. Hampel, F.M. Boldt, H. Gerstenberg, G. Hampel, J.V. Kratz, ... Standard wafer solar cells are made of near-semiconductor quality silicon. This high quality material makes up a significant part of the total costs of a solar module. Therefore, new concepts with less expensive so called solar grade silicon directly based on physiochemically upgraded metallurgical grade silicon are investigated. Metallurgical grade silicon contains large amounts of impurities, mainly transition metals like Fe, Cr, Mn, and Co, which degrade the minority carrier lifetime and thus the solar cell efficiency. A major reduction of the transition metal content occurs during the unidirectional crystallization due to the low segregation coefficient between the solid and liquid phase. A further reduction of the impurity level has to be done by gettering procedures applied to the silicon wafers. The efficiency of such cleaning procedures of metallurgical grade silicon is studied by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Small sized silicon wafers of approximately 200 mg with and without gettering step were analyzed. To accelerate the detection of transition metals in a crystallized silicon ingot, experiments of scanning whole vertical silicon columns with a diameter of approximately 1 cm by gamma spectroscopy were carried out. It was demonstrated that impurity profiles can be obtained in a comparably short time. Relatively constant transition metal ratios were found throughout an entire silicon ingot. This led to the conclusion that the determination of several metal profiles might be possible by the detection of only one “leading element”. As the determination of Mn in silicon can be done quite fast compared to elements like Fe, Cr, and Co, it could be used as a rough marker for the overall metal concentration level. Thus, a fast way to determine impurities in photovoltaic silicon material is demonstrated. Highlights ? We demonstrate a fast way to determine impurities in photovoltaic silicon by NAA. ? We make first experiments of locally scanning whole vertical silicon columns. ? Mn is a marker for the purification effectiveness by unidirectional solidification. - Fast determination of impurities in metallurgical grade silicon for photovoltaics by instrumental neutron activation analysisSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0969804311003319&_version=1&md5=f0adce8177d29a65a8dcd334939b4915ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811003849&_version=1&md5=8f68bbcd3eb53ea0bd2e60bb4ce4d758Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume 95, Issue 11, November 2011, Pages 3114-3118 Qiao Zheng, Guojia Fang, Robert C. Coffin, Christopher M. MacNeill, Yuan Li, ... The authors have attentively investigated the roles of the thermal annealing in the thin blended film of a novel low band-gap polymer poly[(4,4-bis(2-ethyl)cyclopenta- [2,1-b:3,4-b’]dithiophene)-2,6-diyl-alt-(5-octylthieo[3,4-b]pyrrole-4,6-dione)-1,3-diyl] (PCPDTTPD) and [6,6]-phenyl C60butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The surface morphology, optical absorption spectra and carrier mobility of the PCPDTTPD:PCBM film as a function of annealing temperature were investigated. Open-circuit voltage as high as 0.86 V was obtained in the PCPDTTPD:PCBM active layer based organic photovoltaics. The post-deposition annealing effects on the performance of solar cells also have been discussed. The results illustrated that the maximum power conversion efficiency of 2.01% was achieved in the as-cast devices. Graphical abstract The roles of the thermal annealing in the blended film of a novel low band-gap polymer poly[(4,4-bis(2-ethyl)cyclopenta- [2,1-b:3,4-b’]dithiophene)-2,6-diyl-alt-(5-octylthieo[3,4-b]pyrrole-4,6-dione)-1,3-diyl] (PCPDTTPD) and [6,6]-phenyl C 60 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) have been investigated. The post-deposition annealing effects on the performance of solar cells also have been discussed. Fig.a–e shows the surface morphology of the PCPDTTPD:PCBM film as a function of annealing temperature. Fig. f shows the current density–voltage performances under illumination of the devices without annealing and annealed at different temperatures. Highlights ? Polymer P became more region regular after heat treatment. ? Optical absorption and µ e ( h ) of P:PCBM were improved after annealing. ? µ e / µ h and the electrical leakage of the devices were enhanced by annealing. ? The maximum PCE of 2.01% was achieved in the as-cast devices. - Roles of thermal annealing in cyclopentadithiophene/thienopyrroledione:fullerene blended film and performance of organic photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811003849&_version=1&md5=8f68bbcd3eb53ea0bd2e60bb4ce4d758ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811003722&_version=1&md5=04ad9b106f598d3d0962eb8fbedb2538Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume 95, Issue 11, November 2011, Pages 3060-3064 Soniya D. Yambem, Kang-Shyang Liao, Seamus A. Curran High efficiency organic photovoltaic cells discussed in literature are normally restricted to devices fabricated on glass substrates. This is a consequence of the extreme brittleness and inflexibility of the commonly used transparent conductive oxide electrode, indium tin oxide (ITO). This shortcoming of ITO along with other concerns such as increasing scarcity of indium, migration of indium to organic layer, etc. makes it imperative to move away from ITO. Here we demonstrate a highly flexible Ag electrode that possesses low sheet resistances even in ultra-thin layers. It retains its conductivity under severe bending stresses where ITO fails completely. A P3HT:PCBM blend organic solar cell fabricated on this highly flexible electrode gives an efficiency of 2.3%. Graphical abstract Ag film possesses very low sheet resistance even in the ultra-thin layers and has a very smooth surface. Also it is extremely flexible and retains its conductivity under severe bending stress. Organic photovoltaic devices fabricated on Ag–PEN films showed better performance than devices fabricated using ITO–PET . Highlights ? Organic photovoltaic devices were fabricated on thin Ag electrodes deposited by thermal evaporation on PEN substrate. ? Device fabricated on Ag–PEN showed a higher efficiency than the device fabricated on ITO–PET. ? Ag electrodes are highly flexible and retain their conductivity under severe bending stress. - Flexible Ag electrode for use in organic photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811003722&_version=1&md5=04ad9b106f598d3d0962eb8fbedb2538ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811003631&_version=1&md5=3cec6c53a4e83caaeecfcd181eaee32aPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Volume 95, Issue 11, November 2011, Pages 3021-3024 Jungwon Kim, Kangmin Kim, Seung Hwan Ko, Woochul Kim Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have recently received increasing attention as alternatives to inorganic solar cells because of their light weight, compatibility with flexible electronics, and low production cost. In this work, an ideal device structure for ordered bulk heterojunction (OBHJ) organic photovoltaics is proposed. Also suggested is a parameter related to the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the devices. Such a parameter could serve as a rule of thumb for researchers. For cases in which it is difficult to reduce the pillar size and spacing, the proposed parameter dictates that an increase in the active layer thickness could be one way to increase the PCE of an OBHJ. To generate maximum PCE, (1) the pillar size and spacing must be two to three times less than the exciton diffusion length and (2) the thickness of the active layer has to be greater than half of the photon mean free path, which is the inverse of the absorption coefficient. Graphical abstract . Highlights ? Optimization of the ordered bulk heterojunction photovoltaics (OPV) was performed. ? A parameter related to the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the ordered OPV is deduced. ? The parameter is related to the exciton diffusion length and photon mean free path. - Optimum design of ordered bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811003631&_version=1&md5=3cec6c53a4e83caaeecfcd181eaee32aScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0306261911003060&_version=1&md5=dd0a43d020bbf5ed27b542c45483d893Publication year: 2011 Source: Applied Energy, Volume 88, Issue 12, December 2011, Pages 4387-4399 Robert Wand, Florian Leuthold This paper examines the potential effects of Germany’s feed-in tariff policy for small roof-top solar PV systems installed between 2009 and 2030. Employing a partial equilibrium approach, we evaluate the policy by weighing the benefits from induced learning and avoided environmental externalities against the social costs of promoting residential PV. We use a dynamic optimization model that maximizes social welfare by accounting for learning-by-doing, technology diffusion, and yield-dependent demand. We find a wide range of effects on welfare, from net social costs of 2014 million € under a “business as usual” scenario to 7586 million € of net benefits under the positive prospects of PV’s development. Whereas the “business as usual” scenario underestimates actual price reductions, the positive scenario mirrors recent price developments and feed-in tariffs in the German residential PV market. Highlights ? We model feed-in tariff policies for small roof-top PV systems in Germany. ? Our partial equilibrium approach maximizes social benefits between 2009 and 2030. ? We find welfare effects between costs of 2 bn € and benefits of 7.6 bn €. - FeedSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0306261911003060&_version=1&md5=dd0a43d020bbf5ed27b542c45483d893ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0960148111003739&_version=1&md5=68dc17520b75e736a7af83c6844240ffPublication year: 2012 Source: Renewable Energy, Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2012, Pages 31-39 Alexis Vossier, Daniel Chemisana, Gilles Flamant, Alain Dollet Among commercial photovoltaic technologies, concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) has the highest solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency; however, CPV electricity costs are still higher than thin film or silicon PV costs, mainly because of the additional components needed (optics, tracker) and the very high price of III–V multi-junction solar cells. To date, most commercial CPV systems operated at maximum concentrations of about 500 suns; but even at this concentration level, multi-junction cells retain a significant contribution to the total cost of the system. Further increasing the concentration ratio seems an interesting route for decreasing CPV electricity costs since the efficiency of concentrator cells theoretically increases with increasing illumination levels whilst the part of the solar cells in the total system cost decreases.In this work, single, dual and triple-junction III–V solar cells designed to operate at concentrations of only a few hundred suns have been characterized under natural sunlight concentrated up to about 3000 suns. The cells were not damaged by the various series of measurements; furthermore, the electrical power delivered by the cells was found to increase with increasing concentration up to its maximum value despite the decrease in conversion efficiency observed above 200–300 suns. Calculations were also performed to complement the experimental results: the importance of optimizing the cell grid layout for ultrahigh concentration was first illustrated and finally a cost analysis suggested that a non-negligible decrease of solar electricity costs could result from increasing the concentration ratio used in commercial CPV systems. Highlights ? Multi-junction cells were characterized under highly concentrated natural sunlight. ? The cells were not damaged by measurements performed up to about 3000 suns. ? The power delivered increased with increasing concentration up to 3000 suns. ? The cell grid layout must be carefully optimized for very high concentrations. ? Increasing the concentration ratio was proposed as a route to decrease CPV costs. - Very high fluxes for concentrating photovoltaics: Considerations from simple experiments and modelingSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0960148111003739&_version=1&md5=68dc17520b75e736a7af83c6844240ffScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811004806&_version=1&md5=3be3537b3c1d0a0691d7d96b104c53e0Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 19 September 2011 Assaf Manor, Eugene A. Katz The open-circuit voltage dependence on light intensity and temperature is calculated for organic photovoltaics, taking into account the generalized Einstein relation for disordered semiconductors. The results show that open-circuit voltage losses in bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells are affected from the diffusion enhancement inherent to disordered semiconductors. The model is validated by the fitting to recently published experimental data. Graphical Abstract Highlights ? Generalized Einstein relation (GER) for disordered semiconductors is analyzed. ? GER was found to affect V oc of disordered organic PV. ? Physical model of V oc , which incorporates GER is presented. ? V oc dependences on light intensity and temperature are simulated. ? Model is validated by the fitting to recently published experimental data. - OpenSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811004806&_version=1&md5=3be3537b3c1d0a0691d7d96b104c53e0ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0921452611009628&_version=1&md5=66da50fdcba749575ff0f0e3d0a5d368Publication year: 2011 Source: Physica B: Condensed Matter, Available online 24 September 2011 B.A. Butler, E. E van Dyk, F.J. Vorster, W. Okullo, M.K. Munji, ... Low concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) systems have the potential to reduce the cost per kWh of electricity compared to conventional flat-plate photovoltaics (PV) by up to 50%. The cost-savings are realised by replacing expensive PV cells with relatively cheaper optical components to concentrate incident solar irradiance onto a receiver and by tracking the sun along either 1 axis or 2 axes. A LCPV module consists of three interrelated subsystems, viz., the optical, electrical and the thermal subsystems, which must be considered for optimal module design and performance. Successful integration of these subsystems requires the balancing of cost, performance and reliability. In this study LCPV experimental prototype modules were designed, built and evaluated with respect to optimisation of the three subsystems and overall performance. This paper reports on the optical and electrical evaluation of a prototype LCPV module. - Characterization of a low concentrator photovoltaics moduleSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0921452611009628&_version=1&md5=66da50fdcba749575ff0f0e3d0a5d368ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0378778811004348&_version=1&md5=9be38611a6d7ce75a225c48b684cf1c1Publication year: 2011 Source: Energy and Buildings, Available online 29 September 2011 Changhai Peng, Ying Huang, Zhishen Wu Highlights ? Building-Integrated Photovoltaics(BIPV)are one of the best ways to harness solar power ? This paper discusses issues concerning BIPV in architectural design in China, including how to choose between BIPV and building-attached photovoltaics (BAPV), whether it is necessary for photovoltaic components to last as long as buildings and how to design BIPV structures ? To solve problems associated with the existing photovoltaic structures in China, we design a building photovoltaic structure that allows convenient maintenance and replacement of photovoltaic components.AbstractBuilding-Integrated Photovoltaics(BIPV)are one of the best ways to harness solar power, which is the most abundant, inexhaustible and clean of all the available energy resources. This paper discusses issues concerning BIPV in architectural design in China, including how to choose between BIPV and building-attached photovoltaics (BAPV), whether it is necessary for photovoltaic components to last as long as buildings and how to design BIPV structures. The paper shows that we should consider the function, cost, technology and aesthetics of BIPV, rather than solely the high integrations. According to developments in technology and markets, photovoltaic structures and design should be focused on the maintenance and replacement of photovoltaic cell modules, rather than simply prolonging their lives. To solve problems associated with the existing photovoltaic structures in China, we design a building photovoltaic structure that allows convenient maintenance and replacement of photovoltaic components. - BuildingSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0378778811004348&_version=1&md5=9be38611a6d7ce75a225c48b684cf1c1ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005320&_version=1&md5=218351dbaed9f06d0d38faaf81343fe1Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 5 October 2011 Emmanuel Kymakis, Minas M. Stylianakis, George D. Spyropoulos, Emmanuel Stratakis, Emmanuel Koudoumas, ... Spin coated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are incorporated in organic bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices as the hole transport layer (HTL). The SWNTs films were repetitively spin coated with dichloroethane to various thicknesses, and were evaluated as the HTL in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and 1-(3-methoxy-carbonyl)-propyl-1-phenyl-(6,6)C61 (PCBM) photovoltaic devices. Insertion of a 12.2 nm thick SWNTs layer leads to power conversion efficiencies as high as 3.04%, compared to 1.16% and 2.84% for the devices without and with the traditional PEDOT:PSS as the HTL, respectively. - Spin coated carbon nanotubes as the hole transport layer in organic photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005320&_version=1&md5=218351dbaed9f06d0d38faaf81343fe1ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0921344911001753&_version=1&md5=f430e8b8fd4a56a030edca79f61264baPublication year: 2011 Source: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 56, Issue 1, November 2011, Pages 56-65 Anton Zuser, Helmut Rechberger Photovoltaic (PV) technologies have experienced considerable growth rates of up to 70% in the last years. This has been possible because of low total CO2emissions and a positive overall energy balance for PV. Several institutions have developed future scenarios which show an increase in global electricity demand from 17 000 TWh in 2005 to some 60 000 TWh by 2050. A significant part of this amount should be supplied by PV installations. Based on selected scenarios material demand is calculated for four different PV technologies: crystalline silicon (c-Si), amorphous silicon (a-Si) in tandem configuration, cadmium tellurium (CdTe) and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). As these technologies use rare metals it is shown, that particular scenarios are unlikely to be realized because of supply constraints and scarcity phenomena. Critical materials are silver, tellurium and indium. We consider photovoltaics as an appropriate example for the implementation of resource availability considerations into technology development strategies. Highlights ? In our paper we discuss resource scarcity issues exemplified at the case study of photovoltaics (PV). ? Our research shows that ambitious growth rates for PV as envisaged by several organizations are hardly achievable. ? We argue that resource planning should become an integral part of strategic technology development planning. - Considerations of resource availability in technology development strategies: The case study of photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0921344911001753&_version=1&md5=f430e8b8fd4a56a030edca79f61264baScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=B9780123859341000520&_version=1&md5=6ddbfb5ba63ee52c098544b4ea61e0f3Publication year: 2012 Source: Practical Handbook of Photovoltaics, 2012, Pages 1177-1183 Tom Markvart, Augustin McEvoy, Luis Castañer - Appendix GInternational Standards with Relevance to PhotovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=B9780123859341000520&_version=1&md5=6ddbfb5ba63ee52c098544b4ea61e0f3ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005265&_version=1&md5=4038f6bd002e9edd4f0fcf5fc874a0e9Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 10 October 2011 Sam-Shajing Sun, Cheng Zhang, Rui Li, Thuong Nguyen, Tanya David, ... The photoelectric power conversion efficiencies of currently reported organic/polymeric photovoltaic materials are still relatively low (typically less than 9% under AM 1.5 and one Sun intensity), and the three major losses are still severe, i.e., the ‘photon loss’ due to mismatch of materials energy gaps versus the sunlight photon energies, the ‘exciton loss’ and the ‘carrier loss’ due to poor solid state morphologies of existing polymeric donor/acceptor binary systems. Therefore, both molecular frontier orbitals (HOMOs, LUMOs) and phase morphologies of the photovoltaic polymers need to be optimized to further enhance the efficiency. In this presentation, our recent efforts on frontier orbital and energy gap engineering and terminal functionalizations of conjugated polymer blocks, and the donor-bridge-acceptor type block copolymer approaches will be reviewed. For instance, an earlier developed (DBAB)n block copolymer system (where D represents a conjugated donor block, A represents a conjugated acceptor block, and B represents a non-conjugated bridge unit) exhibited much better photovoltaic properties compared to the corresponding simple D/A blend system. Recently, a new DBA conjugated block copolymer system based on mono-functionalized monomers has also been synthesized. Additionally, a series of terminal functional and sulfone-containing conjugated polymers with evolving frontier orbital energy levels and gaps have recently been designed, synthesized, and studied. The HOMO/LUMO energy gaps of these new polymers were in a range of 1.5–2.6 eV, which are very attractive for solar energy applications. The terminal functional groups (aldehyde or phosphonate) make these polymer blocks potentially ideal candidates for the development of donor/acceptor block copolymer supra-molecular nanostructures for a variety of optoelectronic applications. Highlights ? Frontier orbital levels of conjugated polymers are engineered via molecular approach. ? Synthetic protocols for functional conjugated polymer blocks have been developed. ? A novel D–B–A type conjugated block copolymer has been developed. - Frontier orbital and morphology engineering of conjugated polymers and block copolymers for potential high efficiency photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005265&_version=1&md5=4038f6bd002e9edd4f0fcf5fc874a0e9ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1566119911003557&_version=1&md5=405f0dd6842f7cb7de7ad3b5794176dfPublication year: 2011 Source: Organic Electronics, Available online 3 November 2011 Xuee Li, Lie Chen, Yiwang Chen, Fan Li, Kai Yao A novel stable and photocrosslinkable electron-donor material, liquid-crystalline polythiophene containing cyano-biphenyl mesogenic pendant, namely, poly{3-[6-(4'-cyano-biphenyloxy)hexyl]thiopheneylenethiophene-alt-3-(6-bromohexyl)thiophene} (PTcbpTT), was designed and synthesized. The structural anisotropy originating from cyano-biphenyl mesogens can induce the PTcbpTT to assemble into a well ordered morphology and consequently lead to the red-shift absorption, enhanced photoluminescence. The thermal treatment drives further development of the morphology of the copolymer and its blend films mixed with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), towards a state of microphase separation in the nanometer scale. Furthermore, the bulk heterojunction devices based on the PTcbpTT:PCBM (1:1 wt.%) active layer have been constructed. Without extensive optimization, the LC annealing device yields an enhancement of power conversion efficiency from 0.5% to 1.2%, showing a significantly increasedJscand FF with respect to its untreated counterpart, thanks to the ordered microphase separation channels for charge transportation. The highVocvalue of 0.731 V is due to the low HOMO level of PTcbpTT. Unlike devices prepared from PTcbpTT:PCBM blend without UV treatment, photocrosslinked PTcbpTT:PCBM devices are stable even when annealed for two days at the elevated temperature of 150 °C, implying that the photocrosslinked structure dramatically suppresses largescale phase segregation. Graphical abstract Bromine-functionalized liquid crystalline copolymer with cyano-bihenyl mesogenic pendant is developed to induce the well ordered morphology by the mesogens and improved the stability via photocrosslinking. After radiation by UV, well ordered morphology can be maintained by fixing both donor and acceptor in the photocrosslinked net work. Meanwhile, the photocrosslinked structure can freeze this optimum morphology at high temperature and preserve long term performance of PSC. Highlights ? Bromine-functionalized liquid crystalline copolymer with mesogenic pendant is developed to induce the well ordered morphology. ? Well ordered morphology can be maintained by fixing both donor and acceptor in the photocrosslinked net work. ? The photocrosslinked structure can freeze this optimum morphology at high temperature and preserve long term performance of PSC. - Photocrosslinkable liquidSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1566119911003557&_version=1&md5=405f0dd6842f7cb7de7ad3b5794176dfScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1566119911003557&_version=1&md5=405f0dd6842f7cb7de7ad3b5794176dfPublication year: 2011 Source: Organic Electronics, Available online 3 November 2011 Xuee Li, Lie Chen, Yiwang Chen, Fan Li, Kai Yao A novel stable and photocrosslinkable electron-donor material, liquid-crystalline polythiophene containing cyano-biphenyl mesogenic pendant, namely, poly{3-[6-(4'-cyano-biphenyloxy)hexyl]thiopheneylenethiophene-alt-3-(6-bromohexyl)thiophene} (PTcbpTT), was designed and synthesized. The structural anisotropy originating from cyano-biphenyl mesogens can induce the PTcbpTT to assemble into a well ordered morphology and consequently lead to the red-shift absorption, enhanced photoluminescence. The thermal treatment drives further development of the morphology of the copolymer and its blend films mixed with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), towards a state of microphase separation in the nanometer scale. Furthermore, the bulk heterojunction devices based on the PTcbpTT:PCBM (1:1 wt.%) active layer have been constructed. Without extensive optimization, the LC annealing device yields an enhancement of power conversion efficiency from 0.5% to 1.2%, showing a significantly increasedJscand FF with respect to its untreated counterpart, thanks to the ordered microphase separation channels for charge transportation. The highVocvalue of 0.731 V is due to the low HOMO level of PTcbpTT. Unlike devices prepared from PTcbpTT:PCBM blend without UV treatment, photocrosslinked PTcbpTT:PCBM devices are stable even when annealed for two days at the elevated temperature of 150 °C, implying that the photocrosslinked structure dramatically suppresses largescale phase segregation. Graphical abstract Bromine-functionalized liquid crystalline copolymer with cyano-bihenyl mesogenic pendant is developed to induce the well ordered morphology by the mesogens and improved the stability via photocrosslinking. After radiation by UV, well ordered morphology can be maintained by fixing both donor and acceptor in the photocrosslinked net work. Meanwhile, the photocrosslinked structure can freeze this optimum morphology at high temperature and preserve long term performance of PSC. Highlights ? Bromine-functionalized liquid crystalline copolymer with mesogenic pendant is developed to induce the well ordered morphology. ? Well ordered morphology can be maintained by fixing both donor and acceptor in the photocrosslinked net work. ? The photocrosslinked structure can freeze this optimum morphology at high temperature and preserve long term performance of PSC. - Photocrosslinkable liquidSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1566119911003557&_version=1&md5=405f0dd6842f7cb7de7ad3b5794176dfScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S2211285511000127&_version=1&md5=68fd6cfc6cec360ff30134407b4084cfPublication year: 2011 Source: Nano Energy, Available online 7 November 2011 Rui Yu, Qingfeng Lin, Siu-Fung Leung, Zhiyong Fan Nanomaterials and nanostructures hold promising potency to enhance the performance of solar cells by improving both light trapping and photo-carrier collection. Meanwhile these new materials and structures can be fabricated in a low-cost fashion, enabling cost-effective production of photovoltaics. In this review, we summarize the recent development of studies on intriguing optical properties of nanomaterials/nanostructures and efforts on building solar cell devices with these materials and structures. As the family of nanomaterials has great diversity, we highlighted a number of representative materials and structures, including nanowires, nanopillars, nanocones, nanodomes, nanoparticles,etc. And we have covered materials include crystalline Si, amorphous Si, CdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnO, CuInSe2,etc. These materials and structures have different physical properties, such as band-gap, absorption coefficient, surface/bulk recombination rate,etc., as well as different synthesis/fabrication approaches. Work on these materials and structures have laid a solid foundation for developing a new generation photovoltaics. Highlights ? Unique photon capturing with three-dimensional nanostructures will be discussed. ? Enhanced carrier collection with three-dimensional nanostructures will be discussed. ? Quantum size effect induced multiple exciton generation will be introduced. ? Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured solar cells will be reviewed. ? Nanomaterials/structures are promising candidates for cost-effective photovoltaics. - Nanomaterials and Nanostructures for Efficient Light Absorption and PhotovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S2211285511000127&_version=1&md5=68fd6cfc6cec360ff30134407b4084cfScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005794&_version=1&md5=72edc4a7b71fc15d4683e0fde2696d6fPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 9 November 2011 Daisuke Yokoyama, Zhong Qiang Wang, Yong-Jin Pu, Kenta Kobayashi, Junji Kido, ... For high performance of organic thin-film photovoltaics (OPVs), high absorption and efficient charge transport of active materials are critical to compensate the short exciton diffusion length and low carrier mobility in organic semiconductors. It is desirable to control over molecular orientation in active layers to enhance both optical and electrical properties. In this letter, we show that amorphous donors having a planar molecular shape can be horizontally oriented, enabling active layers in OPVs to be thin while keeping high absorption in the devices. Based on anisotropic properties in optical design, a power conversion efficiency of more than 4% was achieved from a simple planar heterojunction. This result shows that using horizontally oriented amorphous materials is an effective approach to enhance OPV efficiency. - High-efficiency simple planar heterojunction organic thinSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005794&_version=1&md5=72edc4a7b71fc15d4683e0fde2696d6fScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S004060901101947X&_version=1&md5=722bb5aaddd2539838f4492ec1a38c51Publication year: 2011 Source: Thin Solid Films, Available online 10 November 2011 Alexander Wagner, Arne Behrends, Andreas Waag, Andrey Bakin We present an approach for the growth of ZnO nanowire arrays with a length of up to 30 micrometers on fluorine doped tin oxide substrates with a growth rate of 20 micrometers per hour. The growth was carried out in a vapor phase transport setup at a temperature of 600 °C. To achieve an aligned growth on fluorine doped tin oxide substrates we used wet-chemically grown nanowire arrays with typical length of 2 to 3 micrometers as a seeding layer. Additionally the nanowire arrays were used as electrodes for the manufacturing of dye sensitized solar cells and the best achieved efficiencies were 1.83 % at 10 mW/cmand 1.5 % at 100 mW/cm. - Two step deposition method with a high growth rate for ZnO nanowire arrays and its application in photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S004060901101947X&_version=1&md5=722bb5aaddd2539838f4492ec1a38c51ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022459611005950&_version=1&md5=a65d5c75917b1ef97c19837a85343a34Publication year: 2011 Source: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Available online 10 November 2011 Vahid A. Akhavan, Brian W. Goodfellow, Matthew G. Panthani, Chet Steinhagen, Taylor Harvey, ... This review article summarizes our research focused on Cu(In1-xGax)Se2(CIGS) nanocrystals, including their synthesis and implementation as the active light absorbing material in photovoltaic devices (PVs). CIGS PV layers are typically made using a high temperature (>450C) process in which Cu, In, and Ga are sequentially or co-evaporated and selenized. We have sought to use CIGS nanocrystals synthesized with the desired stoichiometry to deposit PV device layers without high temperature processing. This approach, using spray deposition of the CIGS light absorber layers, without high temperature selenization, has enabled up to 3.1% power conversion efficiency under AM 1.5 solar illumination. Although the device efficiency is too low for commercialization yet, these devices provide a proof-of-concept that solution-deposited CIGS nanocrystal films can function in PV devices, enabling unconventional device architectures and materials combinations, including the use of flexible, inexpensive and light-weight plastic substrates. Graphical Abstract The semiconductor light-absorbing layers in photovoltaic devices can be deposited under ambient conditions using nanocrystal inks. Devices can be fabricated on glass or on mechanically flexible plastic substrates. .  Research highlights ? CIGS and CZTS nanocrystals are synthesized and formulated into inks. ? Nanocrystal films are spray deposited and used as light absorbing layers in photovoltaic devices. ? Photovoltaic devices were constructed from nanowire mats.>Photovoltaic device efficiency is limited by electrical transport in the nanocrystal layers. - Colloidal CIGS and CZTS nanocrystals: A precursor route to printed photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022459611005950&_version=1&md5=a65d5c75917b1ef97c19837a85343a34ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0379677911004723&_version=1&md5=6e1a1d008823725a17ec8b310f013a37Publication year: 2011 Source: Synthetic Metals, Available online 17 November 2011 Xin Zhang, Kang-Shyang Liao, Soniya D. Yambem, Nigel J. Alley, Seamus A. Curran We have prepared p–n junction organic photovoltaic cells using an all solution processing method with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as the donor and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as the acceptor. Interdigitated donor/acceptor interface morphology was observed in the device processed with the lowest boiling point solvent for PCBM used in this study. The influences of different solvents on donor/acceptor morphology and respective device performance were investigated simultaneously. The best device obtained had characteristically rough interface morphology with a peak to valley value ~15 nm. The device displayed a power conversion efficiency of 1.78%, an open circuit voltage (Voc) 0.44 V, a short circuit current density (Jsc) 9.4 mA/cmand a fill factor 43%. Highlights ? We prepared p–n junction organic photovoltaic cells by a solution processing. ? We compared the effects on p–n interface by different PCBM solvents. ? UV–Vis and AFM were conducted to study the morphology of active layer. ? We achieved the best device by processing with the lowest b.p. solvent for PCBM. ? The best device has a ? 1.78%, V oc 0.44 V, J sc 9.4 mA/cmand FF 0.43. - p–n junction organic photovoltaics fabricated by all solution processingSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0379677911004723&_version=1&md5=6e1a1d008823725a17ec8b310f013a37ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S2211285511000188&_version=1&md5=6ee0a40e9846d3ee9bf951e749a23f2aPublication year: 2011 Source: Nano Energy, Available online 25 November 2011 Rehan Kapadia, Zhiyong Fan, Kuniharu Takei, Ali Javey Nanopillar photovoltaics present significant potential for fabrication of high-efficiency, low-cost solar cells. The advantages over planar cells, including wider materials choice, device geometries, and enhanced optical and electronic properties have been studied in detail over the past decade. Specifically, their 3-D geometry enables optimization of carrier collection and reduction of the material quality constraints. Furthermore, the anti-reflective and light trapping properties enable a drastic reduction in material necessary to absorb the majority of the incident light. Together, the optical and electronic advantages allow solar cell fabrication on low-cost substrates. However, the choice of the material system is important for taking advantage of the unique properties of nanopillar cells, especially given large surface/interface area. This review focuses on the recent work on the optical and electronic properties of nanopillar photovoltaics and the fabrication processes utilizing low-cost substrates. ? We review the optical and electronic properties of nanopillar photovoltaics. ? Device physics, materials constraints, and fabrication processes are discussed. ? Emphasis is given to CdTe/CdS, InP, and Si as the nanopillar material. - Nanopillar photovoltaics: Materials, processes, and devicesSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S2211285511000188&_version=1&md5=6ee0a40e9846d3ee9bf951e749a23f2aScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022024811009237&_version=1&md5=ea82b3e9a956993aa80c1361483c7b84Publication year: 2011 Source: Journal of Crystal Growth, Available online 25 November 2011 C.M. Fetzer, X.Q. Liu, J. Chang, W. Hong, A. Palmer, ... Multijunction solar cells are fabricated using organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) to deposit subcells of GaInP and GaInAs on 150 mm diameter Ge substrates. We review the general challenges of achieving solar cell epitaxial growth on 150 mm dia. Ge and discuss basic GaInP material characterization. Metamorphic GaInP/GaInAs/Ge C4MJ epitaxial layers are characterized by in-situ curvature measurements during growth. A 98.5% relaxation is measured by high resolution X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping, and a threading dislocation density of 1.3×10 cmis measured by cathodoluminescence in active regions of the device. Test batches of 20kWp of cells, 1.0 cmin aperture area, are grown and fabricated on 100 mm and 150 mm dia. Ge wafers and average 40.2% and 40.1% efficiency, respectively, under 50 W/cmAM1.D illuminated current-voltage (LIV) testing. Finally, we demonstrate very large area , >72 cm, triple junction XTJ space devices, averaging 29.3% efficiency for 73 such devices under space LIV testing (0.1353 mW/cm, 28 °C, AM0). Highlights ? We use OMVPE to deposit epitaxial layers for high efficiency triple junction (3 J) GaInP/GaInAs/Ge solar cells on 150 mm dia. Ge wafers. ? Challenges of III-V epitaxial growth for these devices are reviewed. ? Metamorphic terrestrial concentrator photovoltaics reaching 40% efficiency are demonstrated. ? Epitaxial devices in excess of 72 cmin area for 30% efficient space 3J devices are shown. - Progress in large area organometallic vapor phase epitaxy for IIISun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022024811009237&_version=1&md5=ea82b3e9a956993aa80c1361483c7b84ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006106&_version=1&md5=20fd9edce15d78381785dcbd8b6cc81bPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 30 November 2011 Yuan Li, Huihui Huang, Mingjun Wang, Wanyi Nie, Wenxiao Huang, ... The fiber-based solar cell is an example of a three dimensional photovoltaic architecture that uses the natural mode structure of optical fibers to enhance light capture. In this work we explore the spectral response of such cells when the thickness of the absorbing layer is varied. We demonstrate two important consequences associated with this architecture. The first is that fiber-based devices generally require a thinner active layer than the analogous planar structure. This helps to avoid exciton recombination and reflection loss in the geometry. Secondly, the geometry exhibits a broader absorption and external quantum efficiency than its planar counterpart. We interpret this as being due to enhanced absorption of charge transfer excitons. Graphical Abstract Highlights ? We modeled the light distribution in multi-layer of the fiber-based solar cell. ? We proved why fiber cells exhibit better EQE than the planar configuration. ? Fiber cells can get high J sc using very thinner absorber layer (<70 nm). ? Fiber cells enhance the absorption of charge transfer excitons. - Spectral response of fiberSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006106&_version=1&md5=20fd9edce15d78381785dcbd8b6cc81bScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006404&_version=1&md5=5742d0381995215e5a0900863c4b2aa9Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 5 December 2011 Assaf Manor, Eugene A. Katz, Thomas Tromholt, Frederik C. Krebs We present a simple post-processing treatment, which dramatically improves the electrical properties of inverted geometry bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells, by enhancing functionality of the zinc-oxide hole blocking layer. The results show that inherent problems associated with the ZnO layer (e.g. shunting andJ–Vinflection points) are of the same origin and can be efficiently treated and removed. - Enhancing functionality of ZnO hole blocking layer in organic photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006404&_version=1&md5=5742d0381995215e5a0900863c4b2aa9ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022024811009973&_version=1&md5=0883c8294dcc3b22d0dc7ee4221b451bPublication year: 2011 Source: Journal of Crystal Growth, Available online 6 December 2011 Fatoumata Santara, Yves Delannoy, Antoine Autruffe The segregation of impurities was investigated during the crystallization of upgraded metallurgical grade silicon (UMG Si). An experimental solidification system has been developed, including a strong electromagnetic stirring in order to mix the melt, to increase the effective segregation coefficient.Our crucible has a slit-like opening at the bottom of a face, to be adapted to ribbon pulling for future developments of a crystallization system for the photovoltaic industry. The electromagnetic system allowed retaining the liquid silicon inside the crucible during the crystallization of an ingot (thickness ~5 cm), or make it flow out after the partial crystallization of a bottom layer (thickness ~2 mm).Starting from UMG Si of known composition, the chemical analysis of the impurity concentrations in that multicrystalline material shows an efficient purification, despite the rather high crystallization speed (estimated between 9 and 20 cm/h). Phosphorous concentration was reduced from 6 to 1.7 ppm during the segregation, which is difficult to achieve for this impurity which has a segregation coefficient close to unity (k0=0.3). Highlights ? Experimental electromagnetic system to improve impurity segregation in UMG-Si. ? Layer of silicon crystallized under strong electromagnetic stirring (~0,2 m/s). ? Efficient segregation of impurities obtained for high crystallization rate of 20 cm/h. ? Retaining liquid silicon to flow across the slit thanks to magnetic forces. - Electromagnetic stirring and retention to improve segregation in silicon for photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022024811009973&_version=1&md5=0883c8294dcc3b22d0dc7ee4221b451bScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022024811010013&_version=1&md5=8cd3a96390716211754914868358d3baPublication year: 2011 Source: Journal of Crystal Growth, Available online 7 December 2011 Ziqing Duan, Yicheng Lu, Aurelien Du Pasquier MgxZn1-xO has been used in various photovoltaic cells because its energy bandgap can be tailored by controlling the Mg composition in this ternary compound. The MgxZn1-xO layers with different surface morphologies including two-dimensional (2-D) films and one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructures are preferred for conventional p-n junction solar cells and polymer-inorganic hybrid solar cells, respectively. The MgxZn1-xO layers are sequentially grown on Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) transparent conductive electrode by using metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The effect of the buffer layers on MgxZn1-xO surface morphology is investigated. It is observed that MgxZn1-xO deposited at ~500C on a low-temperature (~250C) ZnO buffer layer is in form of a 2-D dense and smooth films; whereas, on a high-temperature (~520C) ZnO buffer layer is in form of 1-D nanostructures. Based on structure characterization results, a growth mechanism in terms of nucleation and texturing is proposed to explain the buffer layer effect. Highlights ? In this study we sequentially grow Mg x Zn 1-x O layers on GZO films by MOCVD. ? We investigate the effect of the buffer layers on Mg x Zn 1-x O surface morphology. ? A low T ZnO buffer is helpful for the formation of Mg x Zn 1-x O dense and smooth film. ? A high T ZnO buffer is beneficial for the growth of Mg x Zn 1-x O nanostructures. ? A growth mechanism is proposed to explain the buffer layer effect. - Morphological control of MgxZn1Sun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0022024811010013&_version=1&md5=8cd3a96390716211754914868358d3baScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0960148111006434&_version=1&md5=1aaf8a0612d037b3cad64d94963d48b2Publication year: 2011 Source: Renewable Energy, Available online 12 December 2011 Pei Zhai, Eric D. Williams Consumer perception could play an important role in the adoption of renewable energy technologies. This study aims to explore the role of consumer acceptance and model its effect on residential photovoltaic (PV) adoption. A survey was conducted to understand consumer perceptions of the technology (perception variables), such as perceived cost, perceived maintenance requirement, and environmental concern. To further investigate the adoption potential of residential PV, this paper develops a fuzzy logic inference model to relate consumer perception variables (inputs to the model) to their purchasing probability (output from the model). This model is tested in a case study of residential PV adoption using data from a survey of homeowners in Arizona, United States. The quantitative results of the model demonstrate the role of each perception variable in the consumer acceptance of PV. Public has tended to emphasize on the role of cost reduction in promoting the adoption of residential PV. The results of this study show that other issues such as maintenance requirement and environmental concern are also important. Highlights ? We surveyed homeowners of their perception of photovotlaics. ? There is significant difference between adopters and non-adopters. ? We use fuzzy logic method and survey results to model the purchasing probability of homeowners quantitatively. ? Perceived cost, maintenance requirement and environmental concern are the most important variables. - Analyzing consumer acceptance of photovoltaics (PV) using fuzzy logic modelSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0960148111006434&_version=1&md5=1aaf8a0612d037b3cad64d94963d48b2ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1359028611000830&_version=1&md5=510168d69e8e7652b283a8c65e640820Publication year: 2011 Source: Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, Available online 13 December 2011 Xiuling Li Metal assisted chemical etching (MacEtch) is a recently developed anisotropic wet etching method that is capable of producing high aspect ratio semiconductor nanostructures from patterned metal film. In this review article, we highlight the characteristics of MacEtch of silicon (Si) including controllability of the produced sidewall roughness, the inherent high aspect ratio, the weak crystal orientation dependence, impurity doping and solution concentration dependent porosity, as well as the applicability of MacEtch to non-Si based semiconductor materials including III–V compound semiconductors. Also reviewed are applications of MacEtch produced high aspect ratio Si nanostructures in photovoltaics, where the p–n junction can be in the planar silicon tray, core–shell, or axial geometry, with nanowire, micropillar, or hole arrays serving as light trapping or carrier collection structures. The prospect of using MacEtch to improve the cost and efficiency of photovoltaic cells is discussed. Highlights ? Metal assisted chemical etching (MacEtch) is a wet but directional etching method. ? Aspect ratio and morphology depend on metal catalyst, semiconductor, and etchants. ? Si nanostructures with extremely high aspect ratio can be achieved by MacEtch. ? MacEtch also works for non-Si based semiconductors. ? MacEtch produced structures are promising for photovoltaic applications. - Metal assisted chemical etching for high aspect ratio nanostructures: A review of characteristics and applications in photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1359028611000830&_version=1&md5=510168d69e8e7652b283a8c65e640820ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0379677911004917&_version=1&md5=51755dcb03e12f4bc07cc31907bc4cbbPublication year: 2011 Source: Synthetic Metals, Available online 14 December 2011 Nigel J. Alley, Kang-Shyang Liao, Enrico Andreoli, Sampath Dias, Eoghan P. Dillon, ... The use of carbon nanotube-fullerene hybrid additives to the standard P3HT:PCBM blend bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic device is presented. The effects of incorporating single-wall carbon nanotubes, functionalized with linked C60molecules by amination on device characteristics are detailed. The concentration of the carbon nanotube-fullerene hybrid in the active layer blend was varied to ascertain their cumulative impact on device performance in terms of open circuit voltage, short circuit current, fill factor and efficiency. We found that decreasing the length of the carbon nanotubes to ~60 nm through fluorination and subsequent thermal treatment was beneficial in terms of eliminating shorted devices allowing much improved diode formation. A trend of improving device performance as a function of concentration of the carbon nanotube-hybrids in a heterojunction of P3HT:PCBM was observed. Highlights ? Single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with fullerenes as a hybrid additive in organic photovoltaics. ? Shortened single-walled carbon nanotubes allow for better diode formation and reduce shorted devices. ? The addition of carbon nanotubes or fullerene hybrids do not readily improve organic photovoltaic device efficiency. ? We conclude that pure semiconducting carbon nanotubes are required as the base additive material. - Effect of carbon nanotube-fullerene hybrid additive on P3HT:PCBM bulkSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0379677911004917&_version=1&md5=51755dcb03e12f4bc07cc31907bc4cbbScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0167577X11014522&_version=1&md5=ea621c12b1d72f7d92561e801cea6084Publication year: 2011 Source: Materials Letters, Available online 14 December 2011 Laura M. Droessler, Hazel E. Assender, Andrew A.R. Watt Lead oxide is demonstrated for the first time as the active layer in a Schottky junction photovoltaic device. Thin films of lead were thermally deposited and oxidised to produce polycrystalline films of lead oxide. Different heat treatments yield variations in the ratio of orthorhombic to tetragonal lead oxide that lead to different device performances, where devices with a higher content of orthorhombic PbO show higher power conversion efficiencies of up to 0.17%. Efficiencies are limited by low short circuit currents and further improvements are expected through increased film homogeneity and grain size as well as the implementation of suitable blocking layers to stop current leakage. Highlights ? Lead oxide has a number of stoichiometries with a wide range of band gaps. ? Lead oxide is demonstrated as active layer in a solar cell for the first time. ? Films are made via thermal evaporation of lead and post oxidation heat treatments. ? The ratio of orthorhombic to tetragonal PbO impacts the device performance. ? Further improvements are expected for multijunctions using different stoichiometries. - Thermally deposited lead oxides for thin film photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0167577X11014522&_version=1&md5=ea621c12b1d72f7d92561e801cea6084ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006775&_version=1&md5=fc27de7d69e7a7d0f200460a9fad55a0Publication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 16 December 2011 Jihoon Kim, Seok-In Na, Han-Ki Kim We have demonstrated inkjet-printed indium–zinc–tin-oxide (IZTO) electrodes using IZTO nanoparticle ink for printable organic solar cells (OSCs). By inkjetting of nanosize IZTO particles and rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of the inkjet-printed IZTO films, we were able to obtain directly patterned IZTO transparent conducting electrodes with a sheet resistance of 20.6 O/square and an average transmittance of 81.29% without using a conventional photolithography process. Because the inkjet-printed IZTO electrodes were prepared by overlapping the ink-droplets ejected from the nozzle, the mechanism of IZTO nanoink deposition on the surface was investigated. This mechanism defines an optimal ink-droplet pitch to achieve a uniform printing of IZTO lines from the ink-droplets. Despite the low sheet resistance and high transmittance, the OSC fabricated on the inkjet-printed IZTO electrode shows open circuit voltage of 0.45 V, short circuit current of 5.74 mA/cm, fill factor of 31.22%, and power conversion efficiency of 0.81% due to porous microstructure of the sintered IZTO nanoparticles. This indicates that the direct patterning of IZTO film by inkjet printing is a promising printable transparent electrode for printable OSCs. Graphical abstract Highlights ? Characteristics of inkjet-printed InZnSnO electrodes were investigated for OPVs. ? Directly patterned IZTO electrode was fabricated using IZTO nanoparticles. ? Inkjet-printed IZTO is a promising printable electrode for printable OPVs. - Inkjet printing of transparent InZnSnO conducting electrodes from nanoSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006775&_version=1&md5=fc27de7d69e7a7d0f200460a9fad55a0ScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006489&_version=1&md5=c50708e5b1674f05c5d65321a3bf0f3aPublication year: 2011 Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Available online 16 December 2011 K. Ranjith, S.K. Swathi, Prajwal Kumar, Praveen C. Ramamurthy Alternating copolymer of 7,9-di(thiophen-2-yl)-8H-cyclopenta[a]acenaphthylen-8-one-co-benzothiadiazole was synthesized by palladium(0) catalyzed Stille coupling reaction. This solution processable copolymer shows an excellent thermal stability and has a broad absorption range from 300 to 800 nm with a band gap of about 1.51 eV. High LUMO energy level and low band gap of the synthesized copolymers suggest that, this copolymer will be a suitable donor material for use in an organic photovoltaic device. Photovoltaic devices were fabricated from the blend of copolymer and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester as the active material. Graphical abstract Highlights ? Synthesize and characterization of a solution processable alternating copolymer of dithienylcyclopentadienone and benzothiadiazole. ? Thermal and optical characterization of the synthesized copolymer. ? Electrochemical studies and HOMO–LUMO level determination. ? Bulk heterojunction solar cells fabricated from a blend of PCBM with the copolymer. - Dithienylcyclopentadienone derivative-coSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006489&_version=1&md5=c50708e5b1674f05c5d65321a3bf0f3aScienceDirect@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1876610211020212&_version=1&md5=31a0e4ff7d48394f856d8e38607e5907Publication year: 2011 Source: Energy Procedia, Volume 10, 2011, Pages 303-307 J.M. Serra The major barrier for PV penetration is cost. And the most important cost factor in silicon technology is the wafer (50% of the module cost). Although tremendous progress on cell processing has been reported in recent years, a much smaller evolution is seen on what should be the key point to address – the wafer. The ingot-slicing process is reaching its limits as the wafer thickness reduces in an effort to reduce costs. Kerf losses are putting a lower bound in this approach. To remain competitive we have to come up with new ideas for producing wafers in a way to overcome these limitations. In this paper we present some new concepts being developed in our laboratory that have one thing in common. They all are zero kerf loss processes. Considering that kerf loss can be higher than 50% of the final wafer material, of an already high valued material, this aspect is certainly important. Among these new techniques, we are developing processes for the growth of silicon directly into ribbons. They were conceived as continuous processes, based on a floating molten zone concept, to avoid impurity contamination during the crystallization. More singularly for continuous processes, they were conceived to allow for impurity segregation, making them interesting for lesspure silicon feedstock. - New concepts for crystal growth for photovoltaicsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=IRSSSEARCH&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S1876610211020212&_version=1&md5=31a0e4ff7d48394f856d8e38607e5907Scirus Patent@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005368&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=24d8acd103092fc5c8e25ab0053edfd2, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 97, p.1-2, Feb 2012 doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2011.09.050Organic photovoltaics (OPV) have developed tremendously and are just in front of a large industrial endeavor along with all the available photovoltaic (PV) technologies, both established and emerging. The strength of OPV lies in the potential for ... - Editorial for the special issue dedicated to GOPV (Global Organic <B>Photovoltaics</B> Conference)Sun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005368&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=24d8acd103092fc5c8e25ab0053edfd2Scirus Patent@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005265&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=ded452a5d2d339593fe892394e26a03d, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 97, p.150-156, Feb 2012 doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2011.09.040Abstract The photoelectric power conversion efficiencies of currently reported organic/polymeric photovoltaic materials are still relatively low (typically less than 9% under AM 1.5 and one Sun intensity), and the three major losses are still severe, ... - Frontier orbital and morphology engineering of conjugated polymers and block copolymers for potential high efficiency <B>photovoltaics</B>Sun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005265&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=ded452a5d2d339593fe892394e26a03dScirus Patent@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811004806&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=ec997f3857303319c7065444794b6f71, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 97, p.132-138, Feb 2012 doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2011.08.022Abstract The open-circuit voltage dependence on light intensity and temperature is calculated for organic photovoltaics, taking into account the generalized Einstein relation for disordered semiconductors. The results show that open-circuit voltage ... - Open-circuit voltage of organic <B>photovoltaics</B>: Implications of the generalized Einstein relation for disordered semiconductorsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811004806&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=ec997f3857303319c7065444794b6f71Scirus Patent@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006775&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=7b8caad065f7201b032ff81202d4205a, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 98, p.424-432, Mar 2012 doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2011.11.050Abstract We have demonstrated inkjet-printed indium–zinc–tin-oxide (IZTO) electrodes using IZTO nanoparticle ink for printable organic solar cells (OSCs). By inkjetting of nanosize IZTO particles and rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of the inkjet-printed ... - Inkjet printing of transparent InZnSnO conducting electrodes from nano-particle ink for printable organic <B>photovoltaics</B>Sun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006775&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=7b8caad065f7201b032ff81202d4205aScirus Patent@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006404&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=af9565f7d8c263db2c356ee57d4b2eea, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 98, p.491-493, Mar 2012 doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2011.11.026Abstract We present a simple post-processing treatment, which dramatically improves the electrical properties of inverted geometry bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells, by enhancing functionality of the zinc-oxide hole blocking layer. The results ... - Enhancing functionality of ZnO hole blocking layer in organic <B>photovoltaics</B>Sun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006404&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=af9565f7d8c263db2c356ee57d4b2eeaScirus Patent@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005794&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=f2d46fbd5f22428a802aa4a2ca2c0cea, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 98, p.472-475, Mar 2012 doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2011.10.014Abstract For high performance of organic thin-film photovoltaics (OPVs), high absorption and efficient charge transport of active materials are critical to compensate the short exciton diffusion length and low carrier mobility in organic ... - High-efficiency simple planar heterojunction organic thin-film <B>photovoltaics</B> with horizontally oriented amorphous donorsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811005794&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=f2d46fbd5f22428a802aa4a2ca2c0ceaScirus Patent@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006489&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=502bfbdac23db3dd43e45790c5f11f8c, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 98, p.448-454, Mar 2012 doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2011.11.034Abstract Alternating copolymer of 7,9-di(thiop... - Dithienylcyclopentadienone derivative-co-benzothiadiazole: An alternating copolymer for organic <B>photovoltaics</B>Sun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006489&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=502bfbdac23db3dd43e45790c5f11f8cScirus Patent@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006106&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=bca9bbd975cb7d5e24e000f877af36e9, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 98, p.273-276, Mar 2012 doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2011.10.033Abstract The fiber-based solar cell is an example of a three dimensional photovoltaic architecture that uses the natural mode structure of optical fibers to enhance light capture. In this work we explore the spectral response of such cells when the ... - Spectral response of fiber-based organic <B>photovoltaics</B>Sun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0927024811006106&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=bca9bbd975cb7d5e24e000f877af36e9Scirus Patent@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0167577X11014522&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=e8ee479ac750ceb4228b773fe82a3b2c, Materials Letters, 71, p.51-53, Mar 2012 doi:10.1016/j.matlet.2011.12.027Abstract Lead oxide is demonstrated for the first time as the active layer in a Schottky junction photovoltaic device. Thin films of lead were thermally deposited and oxidised to produce polycrystalline films of lead oxide. Different heat treatments ... - Thermally deposited lead oxides for thin film <B>photovoltaics</B>Sun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0167577X11014522&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=e8ee479ac750ceb4228b773fe82a3b2cScirus Patent@http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0960148111006434&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=6c5d7aff67ce17a5ec7d985afbaefa8c, Renewable Energy, 41, p.350-357, May 2012 doi:10.1016/j.renene.2011.11.041Abstract Consumer perception could play an important role in the adoption of renewable energy technologies. This study aims to explore the role of consumer acceptance and model its effect on residential photovoltaic (PV) adoption. A survey was ... - Analyzing consumer acceptance of <B>photovoltaics</B> (PV) using fuzzy logic modelSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=ScienceSearch&_method=citationSearch&_piikey=S0960148111006434&_version=1&_returnURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.scirus.com%252Fsrsapp%252Fsearch%253Fq%253D%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaique%2529%252BOR%252B%2528title%25253Aphotovoltaics%2529%2526t%253Dall%2526sort%253D1%2526p%253D0%2526drill%253Dyes&md5=6c5d7aff67ce17a5ec7d985afbaefa8cGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGiving an Order to Hybrid Materials Materials Views In order to understand why ordering is so crucial to the performance of hybrid photovoltaics , it is instructive to look closer at how such devices work. In its most basic form, the function of a photovoltaic device is to convert light energy from the ... - Giving an Order to Hybrid MaterialsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RMIT and Italy's Eni Sign $50 Million Energy Research Agreement Xconomy Half the funding will be used to create the Eni-MITEI (for MIT Energy Initiative) Solar Frontiers Research Program, a far-reaching collaboration whose six specific areas of focus will include nano-structured thin-film photovoltaics , self-assembling ... - MIT and Italy’s Eni Sign $50 Million Energy Research AgreementSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RChina's Solar PV Players Ramp Up Overseas Investments CleanTechnica Chinese solar photovoltaic (PV) companies aren't waiting around for the US International Trade Commission (ITC) and Commerce Dept. to decide whether or not China has been improperly subsidizing the industry and engaging in predatory pricing in the US ... and more » - China’s Solar PV Players Ramp Up Overseas InvestmentsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=Rpv magazine CIGS Photovoltaics Markets-2012 report pv magazine The report continues the firm's coverage of thin-film photovoltaics that dates back to 2005. The report will analyse the CIGS market thus far and its future. The report brings up to date the situation of the CIGS industry. The CIGS sector, according to ... and more » - CIGS Photovoltaics MarketsSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RJanuary Membership Lunch Program San Francisco Chronicle Incorporating photovoltaics into your next building can present great opportunities for energy savings without detracting from architectural design solutions or a building's appearance. But how you start the BIPV design process, determine what building ... - January Membership Lunch ProgramSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RUK government to appeal against High Court feed-in tariff ruling Energy Efficiency News DECC argues that the cut in FITs for solar photovoltaics is not inconsistent with the statutory purpose of the scheme, as the High Court had concluded. “Without an urgent reduction in the current tariffs, which give a very generous return, ... and more » - UK government to appeal against High Court feedSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RHot Penny Stock Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (ENER) surges in Wednesday's ... Tech24 Shares of Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER), a Rochester Hills, Michigan-based company engaged in building-integrated and rooftop photovoltaics , surged in Wednesday's trading session. The penny stock ended the day 42.16% higher at $0.290. ... - Hot Penny Stock Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (ENER) surges in Wednesday’s ...Sun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RGoogle News US - Photovoltaics@p://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=RSunshine industry on the rise Malaya It now boasts 17200 megawatts of installed photovoltaic . This is more than 40 percent of global capacity and over four times the 3800 megawatts in Spain, the number two country. Photovoltaics now generates enough electricity to meet the power demand of ... and more » - Sunshine industry on the riseSun, 8 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMTp://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R