Degradation, Mitigation and Forecasting Approaches in Thin Film Photovoltaics covers detailed descriptions of cell to module level fundamentals of photovoltaics including thin-film materials, performance, maintenance procedures and performance forecasting approaches. Designed to help readers better understand the complexities of photovoltaics, covering the most important aspects of PV cell design, fabrication and performance limiting issues coupled with case studies dedicated towards the forecasting approaches for performance degradations occurring in PV panels. Through theoretical and experimental techniques and methods for performance prediction of the PV cells and modules, this reference concludes with an analysis of the emerging PV technologies for the future. Particularly helpful to researchers because the chapters are aligned in a way that enables readers to start from the fundamentals of PVs and end up with a sound understanding of the current and upcoming PV challenges and ways to deal with them. - Describes thin-film photovoltaics from material to cell level, along with performance limiting issues - Addresses issues pertaining to photovoltaic panel maintenance and cleaning procedures - Includes forecasting approaches of potential induced degradation occurring in PVs through theoretical and experimental methods

PHYSICS OF THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAICS Tackling one of the hottest topics in renewables, thin-film photovoltaics, the authors present the latest updates, technologies, and applications, offering the most up-to-date and thorough coverage available to the engineer, scientist, or student. It appears rather paradoxical that thin-film photovoltaics (PVs) are made of materials that seem unacceptable from the classical PV perspective, and yet they often outperform classical PV. This exciting new volume solves that paradox by switching to a new physics paradigm. Many concepts here fall beyond the classical PV scope. The differences lie in device thinness (microns instead of millimeters) and morphology (non-crystalline instead of crystalline). In such structures, the charge carriers can reach electrodes without recombination. On the other hand, thin disordered structures render a possibility of detrimental lateral nonuniformities (“recombination highways”), and their energy spectra give rise to new recombination modes. The mechanisms of thermal exchange and device degradation are correspondingly unique. The overall objective of this book is to give a self-contained in-depth discussion of the physics of thin-film systems in a manner accessible to both researchers and students. It covers most aspects of the physics of thin-film PV, including device operations, material structure and parameters, thin-film junction formation, analytical and numerical modeling, concepts of large area effects and lateral non-uniformities, physics of shunting (both shunt growth and effects), and device degradation. Also, it reviews a variety of physical diagnostic techniques proven with thin-film PV. Whether for the veteran engineer or the student, this is a must-have for any library. This outstanding new volume: Covers not only the state-of-the-art of thin-film photovoltaics, but also the basics, making this volume useful not just to the veteran engineer, but the new-hire or student as well Offers a comprehensive coverage of thin-film photovoltaics, including operations, modeling, non-uniformities, piezo-effects, and degradation Includes novel concepts and applications never presented in book format before Is an essential reference, not just for the engineer, scientist, and student, but the unassuming level of presentation also makes it accessible to readers with a limited physics background Is filled with workable examples and designs that are helpful for practical applications Is useful as a textbook for researchers, students, and faculty for understanding new ideas in this rapidly emerging field Audience: Industrial professionals in photovoltaics, such as engineers, managers, research and development staff, technicians, government and private research labs; also academic and research universities, such as physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering departments, and graduate and undergraduate students studying electronic devices, semiconductors, and energy disciplines

Widespread adoption of photovoltaics (PV) as an alternative electricity source will be predicated upon improvements in price performance compared to traditional power sources. Solution processing of thin-film PV is one promising way to reduce the capital expenditure (CAPEX) of manufacturing solar cells. However, it is imperative that a shift to solution processing does not come at the expense of device performance. One particularly problematic parameter for thin-film PV has historically been the open-circuit voltage (VOC). As such, there is a pressing need for characterization tools that allow us to quickly and accurately evaluate the potential performance of solution-processed PV absorber layers. This work describes recent progress in developing photoluminescence (PL) techniques for probing optoelectronic quality in semiconductors. We present a generalized model of absorption that encompasses ideal direct-gap semiconductor absorption and various band tail models. This powerful absorption model is used to fit absolute intensity PL data and extract quasi-Fermi level splitting (maximum attainable VOC) for a variety of PV absorber technologies. This technique obviates the need for full device fabrication to get feedback on optoelectronic quality of PV absorber layers and has expedited materials exploration. We then use this absorption model to evaluate the thermodynamic losses due to different band tail cases and estimate tail losses in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe). The effect of sub-bandgap absorption on PL quantum yield (PLQY) and voltage is elucidated, and new analysis techniques for extracting VOC from PLQY are validated that reduce computation time and provide us even faster feedback on material quality. We then use PL imaging to develop a mechanism describing the degradation of solution-processed CH3NH3PbI3 films under applied bias and illumination.

This book features selected high-quality papers from the International Conference on Innovation in Electrical Power Engineering, Communication, and Computing Technology (IEPCCT 2019), held at Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, India, on 13–14 December 2019. Presenting innovations in power, communication, and computing, it covers topics such as mini, micro, smart and future power grids; power system economics; energy storage systems; intelligent control; power converters; improving power quality; signal processing; sensors and actuators; image/video processing; high-performance data mining algorithms; advances in deep learning; and optimization methods.

Photovoltaic (PV) technologies have a substantial role in meeting electric power needs in the next century, especially with an expected competitive position compared to conventional power-generation and other renewable- energy technologies. Thin-film photovoltaic modules based on CdTe, CuInSe2 or Si can potentially be produced by economical, high-volume manufacturing techniques, dramatically reducing component cost. However, the translation of laboratory thin-film technologies to first-time, large-scale manufacturing has been much more difficult than expected. This is due to the complexity of the processes involved for making large-area PV modules at high rates and with high yields, and compounded by the lack of a fundamental scientific and engineering base required to properly engineer and operate manufacturing equipment. In this paper, we discuss the need to develop diagnostics tools and associated predictive models that quantitatively assess processing conditions and pro duct properties. Incorporation of the diagnostic sensors into both laboratory reactors and manufacturing facilities will (1) underpin the development of solar cells with improved efficiency, and (2) accelerate the scale-up process through intelligent process-control schemes. ''Next-generation'' high-performance (e.g.,>25% conversion efficiency) thin-film PV modules will also be assessed, along with critical issues associated with their development.