Table Of ContentMaterials for Solar
Energy Conversion
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Materials for Solar
Energy Conversion
Materials, Methods and Applications
Edited by
R. Rajasekar
C. Moganapriya
and
A. Mohankumar
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
ISBN 978-1-119-75060-4
Cover image: Pixabay.Com
Cover design by Russell Richardson
Set in size of 11pt and Minion Pro by Manila Typesetting Company, Makati, Philippines
Printed in the USA
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
Preface xv
Part 1: Solar Cells - Fundamentals and Emerging
Categories 1
1 Introduction to Solar Energy Conversion 3
Manivannan Rajendran, Moganapriya Chinnasamy,
Suresh Muthusamy and Manikandan Kumaran Nair
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Forms of Energy 5
1.3 Solar Radiation 6
1.4 Heat Transfer Principles 7
1.4.1 Conduction 7
1.4.2 Convection 7
1.4.3 Radiation 7
1.5 Basic Laws of Radiation 8
1.5.1 Stefan-Boltzmann Law 8
1.5.2 Planck’s Law 9
1.5.3 Wien’s Displacement Law 9
1.6 Solar Energy Conversion 9
1.6.1 Sources of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy 10
1.6.2 Differentiate Between Renewable and Non-Renewable
Energy Sources 10
1.7 Photo-Thermal Conversion System 11
1.7.1 Flat Plate Collector 11
1.7.2 Evacuated Solar Collector 15
1.8 Thermal Applications 15
1.8.1 Solar Water Heating Systems 17
1.8.2 Steam Generation 20
1.9 Solar Drying 21
1.9.1 Natural Circulation Methods 23
v
vi Contents
1.9.2 Forced Circulation Systems 25
1.10 Photovoltaic Conversion 25
1.10.1 Photovoltaic Effect 26
1.10.2 Applications 27
1.11 Photovoltaic Thermal Systems 27
1.12 Conclusion 28
References 28
2 Development of Solar Cells 33
Mohan Kumar Anand Raj, Rajasekar Rathanasamy
and Moganapriya Chinnasamy
Abbreviations 33
2.1 Introduction 34
2.2 First-Generation PV Cells 34
2.2.1 Single-Crystalline PV Cells 35
2.3 Second-Generation Solar PV Technology 36
2.3.1 Amorphous Silicon PV Cell 36
2.3.2 Cadmium Telluride PV Cell 37
2.3.3 Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide PV Cells 38
2.4 Third-Generation PV Cells 38
2.4.1 Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide PV Cell 40
2.4.2 Dye Sensitized PV Ccell 40
2.4.3 Organic PV Cell 42
2.4.4 Perovskite PV Solar Cells 43
2.4.5 Polymer Photovoltaic Cell 43
2.4.6 Quantum Dot Photovoltaic Cell 43
2.5 Conclusion 44
References 45
3 Recycling of Solar Panels 47
Sathish Kumar Palaniappan, Moganapriya Chinnasamy,
Rajasekar Rathanasamy and Samir Kumar Pal
Abbreviations 48
3.1 Introduction 49
3.2 PV and Recycling Development Worldwide 52
3.2.1 Causes of Inability in Solar PV Panel 54
3.3 Current Recycling and Recovery Techniques 55
3.3.1 Methods for Recycling 55
3.3.2 Physical Separation 55
3.3.3 Thermal and Chemical-Based Treatment 56
3.4 Strategies for Recycling Processes 63
3.5 Approaches for Recycling of Solar Panel 65
Contents vii
3.5.1 Component Repair 66
3.5.2 Module Separation 66
3.5.3 Decomposition of Silicon and Precious Industrial
Minerals From Modules 68
3.6 Global Surveys in PV Recycling Technology 71
3.7 Ecological and Economic Impacts 76
3.7.1 Evolutionary Factors 77
3.7.2 Socio-Economic Concerns 77
3.8 Conclusion 78
References 79
4 Multi-Junction Solar Cells 87
Mohanraj Thangamuthu, Tamilvanan Ayyasamy
and Santhosh Sivaraj
Abbreviation 87
4.1 Introduction 88
4.1.1 Theory of Multi-Junction Cells 89
4.2 Key Issues for Realizing the Efficiency of MJCs 91
4.2.1 Preference of Top Layer Materials and Enhancing
the Quality 91
4.2.2 Low-Loss Tunneling Junction for Intercell Connection
and Preventing Impurity Diffusion From Tunneling
Junction 92
4.2.3 Lattice-Matching Between Cell Materials and Substrates 92
4.2.4 Effectiveness of Wide-Bandgap Back Surface Field
(BSF) Layer 92
4.3 Structure of Multi-Junction Cell 93
4.3.1 Multi-Junction Cell With BSF Layer 96
4.3.2 Optimization of BSF Layers 98
4.4 Novel Materials for Multi-Junction Cells 98
4.5 Applications 100
4.6 Conclusions 102
References 102
5 Perovskite Solar Cells 107
Santhosh Sivaraj, Rajasekar Rathanasamy,
Gobinath Velu Kaliyannan and Mugilan Thanigachalam
5.1 Introduction 108
5.2 Structure and Working 112
5.3 Fabrication of Simple Perovskite Solar Cell 115
5.4 Fabrication Methods 117
5.4.1 Spin Coating 122
viii Contents
5.4.2 Blade Coating 122
5.4.3 Slot-Die Coating 122
5.4.4 Inkjet Printing 123
5.4.5 Screen Printing 123
5.4.6 Electrodeposition 123
5.4.7 Vapor-Phase Deposition 123
5.5 Stability of Perovskite Solar Cell 124
5.6 Losses in Solar Cells 124
5.7 Conclusion 126
References 127
6 Natural Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells 133
Viswapriya Shanmugam, Rajasekar Rathanasamy,
Saratha Raman and Abbas Ganesan
Abbreviations 134
6.1 Introduction 134
6.2 Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) 135
6.2.1 The Structure and Operation Principle 136
6.2.2 Performance Parameters of DSSCs 137
6.2.2.1 Open Circuit Voltage 138
6.2.2.2 Short Circuit Current 138
6.2.2.3 Fill Factor 138
6.2.2.4 Efficiency 138
6.3 Dye (Photosensitizer) 138
6.3.1 Natural Dyes 139
6.3.2 Plant Pigments 146
6.3.2.1 Anthocyanin 146
6.3.2.2 Chlorophylls 147
6.3.2.3 Betalain 147
6.3.2.4 Carotenoids 147
6.3.3 Photoconversion Efficiency of Natural Dyes
Employed as Dye Sensitizers—Notable Studies 148
6.4 Conclusion 162
References 162
Part 2: Materials, Methods and Applications 169
7 Organic Materials and Their Processing Techniques 171
Raja Gunasekaran, Gobinath Velu Kaliyannan,
Saravanakumar Jaganathan and
Harikrishnakumar Mohan Kumar
7.1 Introduction 172
