Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy is expected to be the world's largest source of electricity in the future. To enhance the long-term reliability of PV modules, a thorough understanding of failure mechanisms is of vital importance. In addition, it is important to address the potential downsides to this technology. These include the hazardous chemicals needed for manufacturing solar cells, especially for thin-film technologies, and the large number of PV modules disposed of at the end of their lifecycles. This book discusses the reliability and environmental aspects of PV modules.

This book presents a very useful and valuable collection of chapters associated with recent developments in energy, environment, and nanotechnology including nanofluids dynamics. The book provides insights related to various forms of nanotechnological applications in green buildings, environmental and electrochemical systems, solar distillation systems, green energy, storage tank of the solar water heating systems, solar concentrator system's receiver, solar adsorption refrigeration system, and CFD simulations of various aspects of nanofluids/hybrid nanofluids, which are particularly useful, valuable for the betterment of society, culture, and ultimately mankind.

Photovoltaic modules have developed into mass products sold in billions and applied all over the world enabling a renewable energy supply. Reliability and sustainability are key factors for the success of Photovoltaics in all climate zones. The second edition of this interdisciplinary book provides insight into relevant environmental aspects (climates), material and module testing equipment and approaches, service life prediction modelling and standardisation of wafer-based photovoltaic modules. The book also addresses recent research and developments on the sustainability assessment of photovoltaic modules including end of life measures and legislation.

This book is composed of 6 papers. The first paper reports a novel technique for the selective emitter formation by controlling the surface morphology of Si wafers. Selective emitter (SE) technology has attracted renewed attention in the Si solar cell industry to achieve an improved conversion efficiency of passivated-emitter rear-contact (PERC) cells. In the second paper, the temperature dependence of the parameters was compared through the PERC of the industrial-scale solar cells. As a result of their analysis, PERC cells showed different temperature dependence for the fill factor loss as temperatures rose. The third paper reports the effects of carrier selective front contact layer and defect state of hydrogenated amorphous silicon passivation layer/n-type crystalline silicon interface. The results demonstrated the effects of band offset determined by band bending at the interface of the passivation layer and carrier selective front contact layer. In addition, the nc-SiOx: H CSFC layer not only reduces parasitic absorption loss but also has a tunneling effect and field-effect passivation. The fourth paper reports excimer laser annealing of hydrogenated amorphous silicon film for TOPCon solar cell application. This paper analyzes the crystallization of a-Si:H via excimer laser annealing (ELA) and compared this process with conventional thermal annealing. The fifth paper reports the contact mechanism between Ag–Al and Si and the change in contact resistance (Rc) by varying the firing profile. Rc was measured by varying the belt speed and peak temperature of the fast-firing furnace. The sixth paper reports a silicon tandem heterojunction solar cell based on a ZnO/Cu2O subcell and a c-Si bottom subcell using electro-optical numerical modeling. The buffer layer affinity and mobility together with a low conduction band offset for the heterojunction are discussed, as well as spectral properties of the device model.

Solar PV is now the third most important renewable energy source, after hydro and wind power, in terms of global installed capacity. Bringing together the expertise of international PV specialists Photovoltaic Solar Energy: From Fundamentals to Applications provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of existing PV technologies in conjunction with an assessment of technological developments. Key features: Written by leading specialists active in concurrent developments in material sciences, solar cell research and application-driven R&D. Provides a basic knowledge base in light, photons and solar irradiance and basic functional principles of PV. Covers characterization techniques, economics and applications of PV such as silicon, thin-film and hybrid solar cells. Presents a compendium of PV technologies including: crystalline silicon technologies; chalcogenide thin film solar cells; thin-film silicon based PV technologies; organic PV and III-Vs; PV concentrator technologies; space technologies and economics, life-cycle and user aspects of PV technologies. Each chapter presents basic principles and formulas as well as major technological developments in a contemporary context with a look at future developments in this rapidly changing field of science and engineering. Ideal for industrial engineers and scientists beginning careers in PV as well as graduate students undertaking PV research and high-level undergraduate students.

A thorough and authoritative discussion of how to use fault analysis to prevent grid failures In Fault Analysis and its Impact on Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems Performance, a team of distinguished engineers delivers an insightful and concise analysis of how engineers can use fault analysis to estimate and ensure reliability in grid-connected photovoltaic systems. The editors explore how failure data can be used to identify how power electronics-based power systems operate and how they can help to perform risk analysis and reduce the likelihood and frequency of failure. The book explains how to apply different fault detection techniques—including signal and image processing, fault tolerant approaches—and explores the impact of faults in grid-connected photovoltaic systems. It offers contributions from noted experts in the field and is fully updated to include the latest technologies and approaches. Readers will also find: A failure mode effect classification approach for distributed generation systems and their components Explanations of advanced machine learning approaches with significant market potential and real-world relevance A consideration of the issues pertaining to the integration of power electronics converters with distributed generation systems in grid-connected environments Treatments of IoT-based monitoring, ageing detection for capacitors, image and signal processing approaches, and standards for failure modes and criticality analyses Perfect for manufacturers and engineers working in the power electronics-based power system and smart grid sectors, Fault Analysis and its Impact on Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems Performance will also earn a place in the libraries of distributed generation companies facing issues in operation and maintenance.

Construction as an industry sector is responsible for around one-third of the total world-wide energy usage, and about 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. The rise in number of buildings and floor space area for both residential and commercial purposes has imposed enormous pressure on existing sources of energy. Implementations like efficient usage of building energy systems, design measures, utilization of local energy resources, energy storage and renewable energy sources for meeting electricity demand are currently under development and deployment to improve the energy performance index. However, integrating all such measures and evaluation of developed nearly zero-energy and zero-emission buildings is yet to be explored. In this book, different control techniques together with intelligent building technology used to improve the energy performance of buildings have been illustrated. Every building energy control system has a two-fold objective for energy and comfort requirements to achieve a high comfort index (for thermal, visual, air quality, humidity and various plug loads) and to increase the energy performance index. The most significant aspect of the design of buildings’ energy control system is modelling. All the components, methodologies and processes involved in developing a renewable energy-driven building are covered in detail. This book is intended for graduates and professionals working towards the development of sustainable built environment using renewable energy sources.