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Solar Photovoltaic Technologies: Have We Reached The Physical Limit Yet?
Solar Photovoltaic Technologies: Have We Reached The Physical Limit Yet?
Group 4
Foo Khai Zhen UTP Siti Khadijah bt Hajon UNIMAS Presanth s/o Gobinath UPM Mohd Shahrizi b Razali UiTM Shah Alam
Physical limits?
A restriction in range of motion, strength, endurance or balance.
Justifications
Geometry
Efficiency
Resources
Resources
(a)
Solar resource is virtually inexhaustible, available and able to be used in all countries The solar technologies resources depend on the solar irradiance Photovoltaic can take advantage of direct and indirect (diffuse) insolation. As a result, PV modules need not directly face that enabled PV systems to have broader geographical application
Figure 1: The global solar irradiance W/m at the Earth surface (a) December, January, February, (b) June, July, August
2
(b)
Geometry
Modifications on space limitation factor higher solar electrical capacities
Figure 2: Expected future of Solar Electrical capacities (Retrieved from Gorai et al., )
Efficiency
Efficiency of solar photovoltaic technologies is continuously increased Depends on type of materials used for the solar panel
Average reflectance of 0.3% Tenfold decrease in reflectance over the solar spectrum - increase in energy efficiency Less light is reflected more sunlight can be converted into electricity.
Quantum dots : semiconductors only a few nanometres in size, used to harvest electricity from the entire solar spectrum. Mechanical flexibility, low cost, clean power generation, can be created quickly efficiency of 65%
Capture sunlight from all directions Efficient shape the sphere. Traditional flat solar cells problem: efficiency relies on their relative position to the sun.
Solar Tracker
Orients photovoltaic panels towards the sun. Minimize the incidence angle between the incoming sunlight and the panel produce more energy than fixed panels Performance increase: 20% in winter 50% in summer
Conclusion
Many new technologies emerging to keep on pushing the limitations forward for a better performance. Solar PV technology - a very promising solution to reduce carbon footprint globally. Should be commercialized for the optimization of the technology. The defined physical limits of Solar PV technology are yet to be reached.
References
Bourzac K. (April 2010) Black Silicon Makes Solar Cells Cheaper. In Energy News. Retrieved November 9, 2013, from http://www.technologyreview.com/news/418300/black-silicon-makes-solarcells-cheaper/
Nasrudin & Hasaruzzaman (2012). Energy Situation in Malaysia: Present & Its Future. Journal of Sustainable Energy & Environment
Nealon C. (2013). Solar Panels as inexpensive as paint? It's possible due to research at University of Baffalo. Retrieved November 9, 2013, from http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2013/05/018.html Ponnampalam, D. R. (2012). Liquid Solar Cells: a new phase in solar technology development. RetrievedNovember 11, 2013, from http://pv.energytrend.com/research/Dino_PV_20120528.html Scientists Achieve Highest Open-Circuit Voltage for Quantum Dot Solar Cells. (Sept 2013). In Science Daily. Retrieved November 9, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130913114022.htm
Source: Nasrudin & Hasaruzzaman (2012). Energy Situation in Malaysia: Present & Its Future. Journal of Sustainable Energy & Environment