Structural and photoelectrical characterization of hot wall deposited CuInSe2 thin films and the fabrication of CuInSe2 based solar cells

Films of CuInSe2 were deposited onto glass substrates by a hot wall deposition method using bulk CuInSe2 as a source material. All the deposited CuInSe2 films were found to be polycrystalline in nature exhibiting the chalcopyrite structure with the crystallite orientation along (101),(112),(103),(211),(220),(312) and (400) directions. The photocurrent was found to increase with increase in film thickness and also with increase of light intensity. Photocurrent spectra show a peak related to the band-to-band transition. The spectral response of CuInSe2 thin films was studied by allowing the radiation to pass through a series of interference filters in the wavelength range 700-1200 rim. Films of higher thickness exhibited higher photosensitivity while low thickness films exhibited moderate photosensitivity. CuInSe2-based Solar cells with different types of buffer layers such as US, Cdse, CuInSe2 and CdSe0.7Te0.3 were fabricated. The current and voltage were measured using an optical power meter and an electrometer respectively. The fabricated solar cells were illuminated using 100 mW/cm(2) white light under AM1 conditions. (C) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comments on "Full-sphere simulations of circulation-dominated solar dynamo: Exploring the parity issue" - Reply

We respond to Dikpati et al.'s criticism of our recent solar dynamo model. A different treatment of the magnetic buoyancy is the most probable reason for their different results.

Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Donor-Acceptor Copolymers as Organic Sensitizers for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

In this work diketopyrrolopyrrole based copolymers (PDPP-BBT and TDPP-BBT) containing a donor-acceptor structural unit have been explored as organic Sensitizers for quasi-solid state dye Sensitized solar cells. Polymer-sensitized solar cells (PSSC) fabricated utilizing PDPP-BBT and TDPP-BBT as the active layer resulted in a typical power conversion efficiency of 1.43% and 2.41%, respectively. The power conversion efficiency of PSSCs based on TDPP-BBT With use of TiCl4-modified TiO2 photoanode was about 3.06%, attributed to the reduced back recombination reaction and more charge carriers in the external Circuit.

Improvement in solar air collector performance with vaned diffuser

Modifications made in a solar air collector inlet duct to achieve uniform velocity of air in the absorber duct are described. Measurements of temperature and pressure at various points in the duct gave information on the distribution of air in the absorber duct. A thermal performance test conducted on the collector with a vaned diffuser showed some significant improvement compared with a diffuser without vanes.

Effectiveness of a Differential Temperature Controller on a Solar Water Heating System: An Experimental Study

A differential temperature controller is incorporated in a solar water heating system to study the influence of its set points on system performance. The effectiveness of the controller set points DeltaT ON and DeltaT OFF on the pump cycling and energy collection has been studied experimentally and the results are presented in this paper.

Analysis of solar radiation pressure induced coupled liberations of a gravity stabilized axisymmetric satellite

This paper presents an analysis of solar radiation pressure induced coupled librations of gravity stabilized cylindrical spacecraft with a special reference to geostationary communication satellites. The Lagrangian approach is used to obtain the corresponding equations of motion. The solar induced torques are assumed to be free of librational angles and are represented by their Fourier expansion. The response and periodic solutions are obtained through linear and nonlinear analyses, using the method of harmonic balance in the latter case. The stability conditions are obtained using Routh-Hurwitz criteria. To establish the ranges of validity the analytic response is compared with the numerical solution. Finally, values of the system parameters are suggested to make the satellite behave as desired. Among these is a possible approach to subdue the solar induced roll resonance. It is felt that the approximate analysis presented here should significantly reduce the computational efforts involved in the design and stability analysis of the systems.

A multi-station satellite radio beacon study of ionospheric variations during total solar eclipses

Faraday rotation data obtained at Delhi, Kurukshetra, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Waltair, Nagpur and Calcutta during the total solar eclipse of 16 February 1980 and at Delhi during the total solar eclipse of 31 July 1981 have been analysed to detect the gravity waves generated by a total solar eclipse as hypothesized by Chimonas and Hines (1970, J. geophys. Res. 75, 875). It has been found that gravity waves can be generated by a total solar eclipse but their detection at ionospheric heights is critically dependent on the location of the observing station in relation to the eclipse path geometry. The distance of the observing station from the eclipse path should be more than 500 km in order to detect such gravity waves.

Performance evaluation of an integrated solar water heater as an option for building energy conservation

Since a majority of residential and industrial building hot water needs are around 50 degrees C, an integrated solar water heater could provide a bulk source that blends collection and storage into one unit. This paper describes the design, construction and performance test results of one such water-heating device. The test unit has an absorber area of 1.3 m(2) and can hold 1701 of water, of which extractable volume per day is 1001. Its performance was evaluated under various typical operating conditions. Every morning at about 7:00 a.m., 1001 of hot water were drawn from the sump and replaced with cold water from the mains. Although, during most of the days, the peak temperatures of water obtained are between 50 and 60 degrees C, the next morning temperatures were lower at 45-50 degrees C. Daytime collection efficiencies of about 60% and overall efficiencies of about 40% were obtained. Tests were conducted with and without stratification. Night radiation losses were reduced by use of a screen insulation.

On global solar dynamo simulations

Global dynamo simulations solving the equations of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) have been a tool of astrophysicists who try to understand the magnetism of the Sun for several decades now. During recent years many fundamental issues in dynamo theory have been studied in detail by means of local numerical simulations that simplify the problem and allow the study of physical effects in isolation. Global simulations, however, continue to suffer from the age-old problem of too low spatial resolution, leading to much lower Reynolds numbers and scale separation than in the Sun. Reproducing the internal rotation of the Sun, which plays a crucual role in the dynamo process, has also turned out to be a very difficult problem. In the present paper the current status of global dynamo simulations of the Sun is reviewed. Emphasis is put on efforts to understand how the large-scale magnetic fields, i.e. whose length scale is greater than the scale of turbulence, are generated in the Sun. Some lessons from mean-field theory and local simulations are reviewed and their possible implications to the global models are discussed. Possible remedies to some of the current issues of the solar simulations are put forward.

Impact of dust on solar photovoltaic (PV) performance: Research status, challenges and recommendations

The peaking of most oil reserves and impending climate change are critically driving the adoption of solar photovoltaic's (PV) as a sustainable renewable and eco-friendly alternative. Ongoing material research has yet to find a breakthrough in significantly raising the conversion efficiency of commercial PV modules. The installation of PV systems for optimum yield is primarily dictated by its geographic location (latitude and available solar insolation) and installation design (tilt, orientation and altitude) to maximize solar exposure. However, once these parameters have been addressed appropriately, there are other depending factors that arise in determining the system performance (efficiency and output). Dust is the lesser acknowledged factor that significantly influences the performance of the PV installations. This paper provides an appraisal on the current status of research in studying the impact of dust on PV system performance and identifies challenges to further pertinent research. A framework to understand the various factors that govern the settling/assimilation of dust and likely mitigation measures have been discussed in this paper. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimization and design of energy transport system for solar cooking application

This paper proposes a hybrid solar cooking system where the solar energy is transported to the kitchen. The thermal energy source is used to supplement the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) that is in common use in kitchens. Solar energy is transferred to the kitchen by means of a circulating fluid. Energy collected from sun is maximized by changing the flow rate dynamically. This paper proposes a concept of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for the solar thermal collector. The diameter of the pipe is selected to optimize the overall energy transfer. Design and sizing of different components of the system are explained. Concept of MPPT is validated with simulation and experimental results. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative study of air heating solar collectors

Three types of conventional solar air heater are designed such that their heat absorbing areas and the pressure drops across them are equal for equal air mass flow rates per unit collector area. The results of thermal performance tests conducted simultaneously on these collectors, under the same environmental conditions, are presented.

Studies in biogas technology. Part IV. A novel biogas plant incorporating a solar water-heater and solar still

A reduction in the heat losses from the top of the gas holder of a biogas plant has been achieved by the simple device of a transparent cover. The heat losses thus prevented have been deployed to heat a water pond formed on the roof of the gas holder. This solar-heated water is mixed with the organic input for ‘ hot-charging ’ of the biogas plant. A thermal analysis of such a solar water-heater ‘ piggy-backing ’ on the gas holder of a biogas plant has been carried out.To test whether the advantages indicated by the thermal analysis can be realised in practice, a biogas plant of the ASTRA design was modified to incorporate a roof-top solar water-heater. The operation of such a modified plant, even under ‘ worst case ’ onditions, shows a significant improvement in the gas yield compared to the unmodified plant. Hence, the innovation reported here may lead to drastic reductions in the sizes and therefore costs of biogas plants. By making the transparent cover assume a tent-shape, the roof-top solar heater can serve the additional function of a solar still to yield distilled water. The biogas plant-cum-solar water-heater-cum-solar still described here is an example of a spatially integrated hybrid device which is extremely cost-effective.

Solar rechargeable battery—principle and materials

A brief survey of the historical development of a photoelectrochemical solar cell is given. The principle and future of solar chargeable battery is compared with a wet and a dry type photovoltaic cell. A solar chargeable battery, with or without a membrane and with an aqueous solution or with solid-state electrolytes is discussed. A new unique type of configuration “Sharon-Schottky” junction solar cell is described which can be used either as a charger for any secondary batteries or could be used for photoelectrolysis of water. All these configurations and their relative merits are discussed. A review on the various semiconductors and types of solar chargeable batteries is made. Finally, a conclusion is drawn for future direction of research for developing an economically viable photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar cell based on either the principle of a solar charger (to charge a Ni---Cd battery or lead—acid battery) and/or solar chargeable battery with or without without a membrane. Some new innovative ideas for the preparation of materials is discussed. The entire discussion is geared towards answering a relevant question: what has gone wrong to result in the stagnation and failure in commercialization of a PEC based solar cell?