Sharif Digital Repository

We proposed two different time-dependent modeling approaches for variation of device characteristics of perovskite solar cells under stress conditions. The first approach follows Sah-Noyce-Shockley (SNS) model based on Shockley–Read–Hall recombination/generation across the depletion width of pn junction and the second approach is based on thermionic emission model for Schottky diodes. The connecting point of these approaches to time variation is the time-dependent defect generation in depletion width (W) of the junction. We have fitted the two models with experimental data reported in the literature to perovskite solar cell and found out that each model has a superior explanation for... 

Herein, we report the impact of light scattering mechanism on photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical performance of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) devices composed of TiO2 nanoparticles and hollow cubes. DSCs are designed by two different light scattering modes (i.e., mode I in form of single layer electrode containing nanoparticles and hollow cubes and mode II in the form of double layer electrode comprising active and scattering layers made of nanoparticles and mixtures of nanoparticles and hollow cubes, respectively). The synthesized anatase-TiO2 hollow cubes (200–400 nm) and nanoparticles (15–30 nm) are employed to enhance the optical length and light harvesting of photoanodes,... 

In the past few years, organic–inorganic metal halide ABX3 perovskites (A = Rb, Cs, methylammonium, formamidinium (FA); B = Pb, Sn; X = Cl, Br, I) have rapidly emerged as promising materials for photovoltaic applications. Tuning the film morphology by various deposition techniques and additives is crucial to achieve solar cells with high performance and long-term stability. In this work, carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) containing functional groups are added to the perovskite precursor solution for fabrication of fluorine-doped tin oxide/TiO2/perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD/gold devices. With the addition of CNPs, the perovskite films are thermally more stable, contain larger grains, and become more... 

The solar to electric power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has recently reached 22.7%, exceeding that of competing thin film photovoltaics and the market leader polycrystalline silicon. Further augmentation of the PCE toward the Shockley-Queisser limit of 33.5% warrants suppression of radiationless carrier recombination by judicious engineering of the interface between the light harvesting perovskite and the charge carrier extraction layers. Here, we introduce a mesoscopic oxide double layer as electron selective contact consisting of a scaffold of TiO2 nanoparticles covered by a thin film of SnO2, either in amorphous (a-SnO2), crystalline (c-SnO2), or... 

An experimental study was conducted on a solar hybrid system to transform the waste heat of photovoltaic module (PV module) into a useful heat which could be used in a solar desalination (SD) system in order to produce freshwater (scenario 1). Then, different parameters such as the amount of the produced freshwater by condensed vapor on the glass cover and basin side walls were taken into consideration after the fabrication of the SD system. Furthermore, the effect of water depth in the tray and the effect of the presence of a fan inside the basin (scenario 3) on water yield (kg/m2hr) were evaluated. In addition, the effects of using a mirror to lead the reflected light on the PV module and... 

This paper addresses a low complexity and high efficient cooling system applicable on photovoltaic (PV) system leading to enhance electrical efficiency and provide preheated water. The developed system consists of a photovoltaic panel, a cooling water system establishing a uniform surface temperature, and a solar water heater. According to the proposed system characteristics, the setup is constructed based on a single mono-crystalline solar panel to absorb more solar radiation intensity and generate more electrical energy per area in compare to a poly-crystalline panel. The preheated water produced by absorbed heat from the photovoltaic is conducted to a solar water heater to satisfy... 

The effect of substitutional Li doping into NiOx hole transporting layer (HTL) for use in inverted perovskite solar cells was systematically studied. Li doped NiOx thin films with preferential crystal growth along the (111) plane were deposited using a simple solution-based process. Mott-Schottky analysis showed that hole carrier concentration (NA) is doubled by Li doping. Utilizing 4 % Li in NiOx improved the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of solar devices from 9.0 % to 12.6 %. Photoluminescence quenching investigations demonstrate better hole capturing properties of Li:NiOx compared to that of NiOx, leading to higher current densities by Li doping. The electrical conductivity of NiOx is... 

N-annulated perylene based materials show outstanding and tunable optical and physical properties, making them suitable to be charge transport materials for optoelectronic applications. However, this type of materials has so far not been well studied in solar cells. Here, we develop a new hole transport material (HTM), namely S5, based on perylene building block terms, for organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs). We have systematically studied the influences of the film thickness of S5 on their photovoltaic performance, and a low concentration of S5 with a thinner HTM film is favorable for obtaining higher solar cell efficiency. S5 shows excellent energy alignment with... 

This paper reports on the synthesis of ZnO nanowires (NWs), as well asthe compound nanostructures of nanoparticles (NPs) and nanowires (NWs+NPs) with different coating layers of NPs on the top of NWs and their integration in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In compound nanostructures, NWs offer direct electrical pathways for fast electron transfer, and the NPs of ZnOdispread and fill the interstices between the NWs of ZnO, offering a huge surface area for enough dye anchoring and promoting light harvesting. A significant photocurrent density of 2.64mA/cm2 and energy conversion efficiency of 1.43% was obtained with NWs-based DSSCs. The total solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency... 

Photovoltaic energy is one of the clean and efficient energies which has been developing quickly in the last years. As the penetration of solar plants is increasing in the electricity network, new problems have arisen in network operation. This paper models a high penetration factor of solar energy in the electricity network and investigates the impact of solar energy growth on both the generation schedule of different power plants and in the natural gas transmission network. Fuel management of gas power plants is modeled through simulation of the natural gas transmission network. To this end, an increase in the penetration of solar energy in the electricity network inevitably leads to a... 

Global warming escalation has extended average temperature of earth beyond its safe limit. To avert this environmental-threat, solar energy has acquired substantial attention of remarkable researchers in this century. To effectively utilize solar energy by transforming into thermal and electrical energy, the involvement of nanofluids having intensified thermal, optical and magnetic properties, has become very popular. The foremost objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive review on the applications of nanofluids in solar energy systems like solar collectors, photovoltaic cells, solar stills, and thermal energy storage, which are thoroughly discussed in this paper. The effect of... 

One of the primary factors affecting the amount of worldwide energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is cooking. Solar cooking is an appropriate solution because it is both inexpensive and expandable. To illustrate modern advancements and the current status of solar cooking technology, this paper presents a review of recent experimental and analytical socioeconomic studies on solar cookers. The experimental studies have been divided into three categories based on different solar cooker structures: (i) box types, (ii) concentrating types, and (iii) panel types. Next, different designs are investigated according to their direct or indirect heat transfer modes and optional equipment for... 

In this work, the combination of H2O2 and an active visible-light-driven photocatalyst (Ag-S/PEG/TiO2) was utilized under natural solar radiation for the degradation of 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), and interaction effects between the photocatalyst and hydrogen peroxide were analyzed. For this purpose, experiments were designed using the response surface methodology based on the central composite design. The resulting data was utilized to obtain a model for the prediction of response (the degradation efficiency) as a function of two independent factors (H2O2 concentration and the photocatalyst loading). The statistical analysis indicated that optimum values of each of the two independent factors... 

Solar updraft tower (SUT) is a simple power plant in which ventilation of heated air inside a channel drives a turbine. This system is recognised as suitable for areas with abundant solar radiation. As a result, there is no extensive research on the performance of SUTs under mild solar radiation. Studies show that strong ambient crosswinds can affect the performance of a SUT. In this paper, the efficiency of SUTs in areas which benefit from strong winds, despite low solar radiation, is investigated through numerical modelling. Comparison is made between the efficiency of a commercial-scale SUT in Manzanares (Spain) with intensive solar radiation, and one of the same size potentially located... 

Isolated microgrids depend mainly on diesel generation and have polluting transportation. This is being addressed by the introduction of renewable energy resources and electric vehicles (EVs). Hence, this paper presents a novel long-term planning model for the introduction of EVs in isolated microgrids. This work studies the replacement of internal combustion vehicles with electric ones by analyzing their respective investment, maintenance and operation costs. Various case studies are discussed, considering different EV and solar photovoltaic (PV) penetration levels, and varying prices of diesel in the planning horizon. Results demonstrate that investing in EVs could significantly reduce net... 

This paper addresses a low complexity and high efficient cooling system applicable on photovoltaic (PV) system leading to enhance electrical efficiency and provide preheated water. The developed system consists of a photovoltaic panel, a cooling water system establishing a uniform surface temperature, and a solar water heater. According to the proposed system characteristics, the setup is constructed based on a single mono-crystalline solar panel to absorb more solar radiation intensity and generate more electrical energy per area in compare to a poly-crystalline panel. The preheated water produced by absorbed heat from the photovoltaic is conducted to a solar water heater to satisfy... 

Extraction of thermal heat from a salinity-gradient solar pond (SGSP) as a way of accumulating solar energy, stockpiling and taking merit of it for medium and low temperature demands is presented as an interesting topic in recent decades. This reliable supply of heat can be used for low-temperature refrigeration systems to yield cooling load for residential applications. For this purpose, theoretical investigation of ejector refrigeration cycle (ERC) driven by a SGSP is carried out to produce cooling output. Also, thermoelectric generator (TEG) is used as a potential device replacing condenser of the ERC for the sake of bolstering performance of the fundamental system by producing power,... 

Solar pond is a type of solar collector that stores solar energy in the form of heat. The solar pond can be used as a low-temperature heat source for electricity generation. In this paper, to find the most suitable power cycle for power generation from the solar pond, the performance of the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), Trilateral Flash Cycle (TFC) and their modified forms with an open feed liquid heater and an internal heat exchanger for different working fluids was investigated. Water was considered as the heat transfer fluid which transfers the stored heat from the solar pond to the working fluid of the cycle. The results indicate that in all cases, the energy and exergy efficiency of the... 

Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has attracted great interest for photo(electro)chemical applications such as sensing, solar energy exploitation, photocatalysis, and hydrogen generation. This paper presents the potential application and benefits of g-C3N4 nanolayers as a green and highly efficient electrode modifier for the detection of trace lead ions in drinking water and urban dust samples. Carbon nitride nanosheets with a thickness of ∼6 A° and lateral of 100–150 nm were prepared through high-temperature polymerization of melamine followed by sonication-assisted liquid exfoliation. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by a thin layer of g-C3N4 through drop casting and... 

Stand-alone hybrid power systems are an alternative to main electricity grids, where the grid extension is costly or the trifling local consumption would not justify its expansion. However, lack of consistency and uniformity in renewable energy sources, and the restrictions of energy storage systems make system sizing a challenging task. Optimum size of a stand-alone system depends on several factors including energy demand function. In this paper, different types of demand functions are addressed for optimising a solar-hydrogen supply system. Different parameters are defined to investigate the impact of household population on the power generation cost, and also to determine the optimum...