Solar Technologies – Page 4 – TechConnect Briefs

Fabrication of Infrared Energy Harvester Using Electrically Small Particles

AlShareef M.R., Cui B., Ramahi O., University of Waterloo, CA

A novel structure based on electrically small resonators is proposed for harvesting the infrared energy and yielding more than 84% harvesting efficiency. The proposed harvester has been fabricated using nano-fabrication tools. Moreover, silver adhesion improvement [...]

Low-cost Transmission, Storage, and Integration for Renewable-source Energy: Hydrogen and Ammonia C-free Fuel Systems with Underground Pipelines, Salt Caverns, and Liquid NH3 Tanks

Leighty B., The Leighty Foundation, US

Solar and wind are the lowest-cost renewable sources, but are intermittent. New, low-cost transmission and storage infrastructure will be needed as we convert the world’s largest industry -- energy -- from fossil to renewable sources, [...]

Application possibility of Parabolic Through Solar Thermal Power Plant technology in North Cyprus

Cabacaba N., Dağbaşı M., Cabacaba Yenilenebilir Enerji Sistemleri, CY

The purpose of this work is to investigate whether the installation of a parabolic through solar thermal power plant technology for power generation is economically feasible in Turkish republic of North Cyprus (T.R.N.C). Since such [...]

c-SI Wafer Development: A New Approach to Reduce Costs and Drive Efficiency

Zehavi S., Rockpoint PR, US

The global solar photovoltaic (PV) market is predicted to increase by double digits between 40-45 GW in 2014, according to a forecast from IHS Inc. And by 2015, new installations could reach as high as [...]

Improved Nanophotonics Simulation Tools for Light-Trapping in Photovoltaics

Shepard S., Rubaiat F., Louisiana Tech University, US

Models used in the field of nanoparticle enhanced light-trapping have a wide range of complexity. Often one simply calculates how much power is absorbed in a particular region e.g., a layer of silicon withing a [...]

Periodic and Psuedo-Random Back-Reflector Nanoparticle Enhanced Light-Trapping in a Silicon Photovoltaic

Shepard S., Patel L., Rubaiat F., Louisiana Tech University, US

We consider the light-trapping enhancement of a silicon photovoltaic with conductive nanoparticles of various shapes, sizes and spacing as top-reflectors; used in conjunction with a periodic and a pseudo-random back-reflectors. The nanoparticles in the top-reflector [...]

Intense Pulsed Light Processing of Semiconductors for Photovoltaics

Druffel T., Dharmadasa R., University of Louisville, US

Thin film solar cells typically require post-growth heat treatment to improve the materials properties. In order to manufacture market competitive solar cells, material processing methods with low capital and running costs are required. One method [...]

Nanotechnology Enabled Photovoltaics and Electronics for High-Power-Density Energy Systems

Smith T.C., Lyshevski S.E., Rochester Institute of Technology, US

This paper examines nanotechnology-enabled high-power and high-energy density microelectronics, power electronics, energy sources, energy storage solutions. Proof-of-concept self-sustainable power systems are designed with applications in autonomous and portable aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, medical, security and other [...]

Preparation of ZnO Nanowires for Solar Cells Aplicattion

Fernandes S.L., Zaghete M.A., Graeff C.F.O., Varella J.A., Longo E., UNESP, Universidade Estadual Paulista, BR

So far, the most successful solar cells have been produced using porous nanoparticles combined with TiO2 films. However, ZnO has emerged as a promising alternative to replace TiO2, with marked improvements in performance of the [...]

Solar Energy Conversion using a Broad Band Coherent Concentrator with Antenna-Coupled Rectifiers

Bodan P., AMI Research and Development, US

A wideband coherent optical 1D concentrator, intended for rectennas, has been designed with an integrated photovoltaic array solar cell. Modeled and measured results are presented for a wedge prism coupled SiON waveguide array.