{"title":"Residential Photovoltaics; An Investment Vehicle for Retiree's","authors":"E. Simburger, J. T. Simburger","doi":"10.1109/PVSC.2008.4922840","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2008.4922840","url":null,"abstract":"Can a residential photovoltaic system provide all of the elements that would qualify it for consideration as a component of a retiree's investment portfolio? To address this question one must consider the maturity of the technology, investment amount, derived revenue stream and overall risk. These factors can then be compared to conventional investment vehicles. A retirement investment vehicle should be capable of providing an income stream, which keeps pace with inflation for an indefinite period. This paper will provide actual financial performance data from a 6 KW DC/5 KW AC residential photovoltaic system with the performance of conventional retirement investment vehicles. The methodology for performing the economic analysis along with tax implications for each investment vehicle is presented. This will allow individuals to determine if a residential photovoltaic system should be considered as investment vehicle for retirement planning","PeriodicalId":344296,"journal":{"name":"2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference","volume":"54 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127295477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
W. Kessels, I. Aarts, A. Pipino, M. V. D. van de Sanden
{"title":"In Situ Defect Spectroscopy: Probing Dangling Bonds During a-Si: H Film Growth by Subgap Absorption","authors":"W. Kessels, I. Aarts, A. Pipino, M. V. D. van de Sanden","doi":"10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279825","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279825","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes a novel optical diagnostic that was recently introduced to the field of Si-based thin films for probing defect states such as dangling bonds in a-Si:H. This diagnostic is based on the cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) technique. When applied in situ or real time during film growth it can provide new insights into the a-Si:H film properties as well as into the fundamental surface processes during growth. In this paper the CRDS technique is described and both the ex situ application on as-deposited a-Si:H films as well as the in situ application during a-Si:H film growth are presented","PeriodicalId":344296,"journal":{"name":"2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125051212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Cole, K. Heasman, A. Mellor, S. Roberts, T. Bruton
{"title":"Laser Grooved Buried Contact Solar Cells for Concentration Factors up to 100x","authors":"A. Cole, K. Heasman, A. Mellor, S. Roberts, T. Bruton","doi":"10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279586","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279586","url":null,"abstract":"The laser grooved buried contact (LGBG) crystalline silicon solar cell is an attractive technology for the production of low-cost concentrator cells. Due to the high-conductivity buried front contact, the metallization pattern may be readily adapted to handle the larger current densities produced at higher concentrations whilst minimizing shading. In the 1990's an efficiency of 18% at 30X concentration without prismatic covers was demonstrated in the EUCLIDES concentrator system. A matrix of cell process conditions has been investigated in order to optimize the emitter and front contact design of the LGBC cell for concentration factors of 50-100X. Efficiencies over 18% at 50X concentration have been measured on 2.56 cm2 cells. Factors limiting the efficiency are discussed and processing improvements are suggested","PeriodicalId":344296,"journal":{"name":"2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128848749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nanostructured CuO Films on Copper: Fabrication and Application as a Cathode in Dye-Sensitized TiO2 Solar Cells","authors":"Q. Liu, S. Anandan, S.H. Yang, W. Ge","doi":"10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279431","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279431","url":null,"abstract":"Nanostructured CuO films are grown on copper substrates by a wet chemical method in a water bath. It has been successfully used as a cathode for dye-sensitized TiO2 nanoparticle solar cells. The effects of reaction temperature, time, and pH on the film properties and solar energy conversion have been investigated. Under favorable conditions, we obtain a short circuit current density of Jsc=0.83 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage of Voc=0.59 mV, a fill factor of FF=0.25, and a power conversion efficiency of etae=0.82%(with white light illumination: 15 mW/cm2). The nanostructured CuO films appear to be a promising hole-transport media in dye-sensitized solar cells for the photocurrent generation","PeriodicalId":344296,"journal":{"name":"2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115364832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Rapp, Y. Combet, F. Geyer, E. Ferrando, M. Caccivio, P. Zanella
{"title":"Triple Junction By-Pass Diode Characterization and Testing","authors":"E. Rapp, Y. Combet, F. Geyer, E. Ferrando, M. Caccivio, P. Zanella","doi":"10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279863","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279863","url":null,"abstract":"The design and qualification of a reliable shunt diode device is of primary importance for all the solar array programs using GaAs triple junction (TJ) solar cells. Main issues are the sensitivity of cells to reverse bias application and their particular behaviour under reverse conditions (interaction between illumination and junction biasing). These matters impose a strong and reliable protection for every solar cell that can be implemented by means of integral diode concept. In the recent past, few diode anomalous behaviours have been detected during long duration high temperature testing: they were caused by marginal design but also by external causes like voltage and current spikes, not really representative of in-orbit conditions. Starting from these \"negative\" experiences, we first improved the integral diode design and then we verified by means of a comprehensive campaign all the major technical issues: on-ground and in-orbit spike environment, component rating with respect to the diode, solar cell electrical characteristics were therefore investigated and a qualification plan based on this approach was established covering all the aspects. This paper presents the diode lifetime analysis focused on spikes generator, the derating rules and finally describes all the characterization and testing activities performed for qualifying the integral by-pass device","PeriodicalId":344296,"journal":{"name":"2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference","volume":"457 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115395071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"N-Type Bifacial Solar Cells with Laser Doped Contacts","authors":"M. Abbott, J. Cotter, K. Fisher","doi":"10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279284","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279284","url":null,"abstract":"Laser doping is investigated as an alternative to high-temperature furnace diffusions to form contacts on bifacial n-type silicon solar cells. A process is demonstrated in which a single laser step forms both selective heavily doped contact regions and defines a mask for subsequent electro-less metal plating. The integration of the laser doped contacts with solar cell structures is investigated in terms of minority carrier recombination, metal plating and electrical properties of finished devices. The process is shown to be a promising alternative to furnace diffusions and may provide a more industrially applicable technique for fabricating bifacial n-type solar cells","PeriodicalId":344296,"journal":{"name":"2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference","volume":"195 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115650343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Preparation of Wide Bandgap Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 Solar Cells with Improved Fill Factor","authors":"S. Nishiwaki, W. Shafarman","doi":"10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279490","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279490","url":null,"abstract":"Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 absorber films with a band gap Eg ges 1.5 eV have been prepared using thermal co-evaporation with different sequences of Cu rich and Cu poor deposition. The composition through the film is, in some cases, non-uniform due to changes in relative S and Se incorporation. The compositional depth profile was characterized by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy with Ar sputtering. The composition ratio [S]/[S+Se] in the films depends on the process and the composition ratio [Cu]/[In+Ga] during deposition. Solar cells with a soda-lime glass/Mo/CIGSS/CdS/ZnO/ITO/(Ni-Al grid) structure were fabricated and a higher FF > 77 % than previous wide bandgap Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 devices has been demonstrated with these processes. The best Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 cell with Eg=1.5 eV is prepared by the two-layer process, and shows an efficiency of 11.2 %, with Voc =0.760 V, Jsc=19.2 mA/cm2, and FF=77.3 %. Quantum efficiency of the CIGSS cells shows relatively poor response for wavelength > 600 nm compared to that with CuInS2","PeriodicalId":344296,"journal":{"name":"2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123064309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improvement in Reliability and Energy Yield Prediction of Thin-Film CdS/CdTe PV Modules","authors":"M. Ross, G. Rich, L. Petacci, J. Klammer","doi":"10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279930","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279930","url":null,"abstract":"In this work, we illustrate improvement in thin-film PV module durability via process optimization. Data are presented from large installations, allowing accurate estimation of failure rates and distributions of failure modes. Improvement in product quality is also described; we show that recent thin-film products can meet industry expectations for consistent power output. In addition, results of product characterization performed at First Solar are presented. Dependence of module output on irradiance and temperature is illustrated, and we show that common assumptions about such dependence (based on experience with conventional PV technology) may not hold for thin-film modules. Predicted behavior of module output (as computed with PV system modeling software) and real-world data are compared. It is shown that adjustment of the parametric description of the module can be used to successfully reduce discrepancy between predicted and actual module behaviors","PeriodicalId":344296,"journal":{"name":"2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference","volume":"65 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"117340780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Collection Properties of Photovoltaic Fluorescent Systems - Simulations and Experiments","authors":"U. Rau, G. Glaeser","doi":"10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279418","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279418","url":null,"abstract":"The limits of photovoltaic solar energy conversion by fluorescent collectors are examined theoretically and experimentally. The maximum efficiency of a fluorescent collector corresponds to the Shockley-Queisser limit for a non-concentrating solar cell with a single band gap energy. To achieve this efficiency, the collector requires a photonic structure at its surface that acts as an omnidirectional spectral band stop filter. We find also a high potential of such photonic structures for the improvement of less ideal collector systems involving non-radiative recombination. Analysis of a fluorescent collector system by spatially resolved light induced current measurements and by quantum efficiency analysis shows that the collection efficiency of a real fluorescent collector system increases by up to 30 % with the help of a Bragg stack on top of the collector acting as a band stop filter","PeriodicalId":344296,"journal":{"name":"2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference","volume":"20 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127283516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. González, C. Algora, I. Rey‐Stolle, R. Álvarez, M. Vázquez, N. Núñez, F. Montalvo, J. Barbero, E. Cordero, E. Galiana, V. Diaz
{"title":"Strategy for Certified Reliability Analysis of III-V High Concentration Solar cells","authors":"J. González, C. Algora, I. Rey‐Stolle, R. Álvarez, M. Vázquez, N. Núñez, F. Montalvo, J. Barbero, E. Cordero, E. Galiana, V. Diaz","doi":"10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279552","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/WCPEC.2006.279552","url":null,"abstract":"In order to get a cost competitive commercial product based in III-V solar cells, a complete assessment of their reliability must be done. A full strategy of tests has been designed to tackle this matter. Real time and homologated accelerated tests are ongoing, as well as a complete statistical analysis which will establish the main reliability parameters and the failure mechanisms","PeriodicalId":344296,"journal":{"name":"2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conference","volume":"111 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124904164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}