Topical Review: Pathways toward cost-effective single-junction III-V solar cells

Abstract III-V semiconductors such as InP and GaAs are direct bandgap semiconductors with significantly higher absorption compared to silicon. The high absorption allows for the fabrication of thin/ultra-thin solar cells, which in turn permits for the realization of lightweight, flexible, and highly efficient solar cells that can be used in many applications where rigidity and weight are an issue, such as electric vehicles, the internet of things, space technologies, remote lighting, portable electronics, etc. However, their cost is significantly higher than silicon solar cells, making them restrictive for widespread applications. Nonetheless, they remain pivotal for the continuous development of photovoltaics. Therefore, there has been a continuous worldwide effort to reduce the cost of III-V solar cells substantially. This topical review summarises current research efforts in III-V growth and device fabrication to overcome the cost barriers of III-V solar cells. We start the review with a cost analysis of the current state-of-art III-V solar cells followed by a subsequent discussion on low-cost growth techniques, substrate reuse, and emerging device technologies. We conclude the review emphasizing that to substantially reduce the cost-related challenges of III-V photovoltaics, low-cost growth technologies need to be combined synergistically with new substrate reuse techniques and innovative device designs.

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MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES OF LOW-COST SI-BASED CRYSTALLINE TYPE SOLAR CELL IN BANGLADESH

Journal of Mechanical Engineering ◽

10.3329/jme.v42i1.15934 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 29-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Md. Shafiqul Islam ◽

Md. Rakibul Hasan ◽

Fariba Mohammadi ◽

Antara Majumdar ◽

Ali Ahmad

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Solar Energy ◽

Alternative Energy ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Low Cost ◽

Atomic Energy Commission ◽

Cost Effective ◽

The Sun ◽

Solar Panels ◽

The Cost

In todays world with the increasing population, the world's energy needs are growing steadily andthe crisis for power is also increasing. All the conventional sources of energy like gas, coal, oil etc are limited.In this situation, the need for establishing a renewable energy source as an alternative energy generation systemhas become very important for sustainable energy security of the country. Among various renewable energysources, solar energy comprises a large portion. The solar energy captivated by Earths atmosphere, oceansand land is about 385000 EJ[1]. But only less than 1% of useful energy comes from solar power [2]. Thisstatistics shows that, the sun shine produces 35000 times more power on earth than the daily power productionusing solar energy. Thus the earth receives more energy from the sun in just one hour than the world uses in awhole year.[3] The conversion of sunlight into electricity using solar cells system (10-14%) is worthwhile way ofproducing this alternative energy. Bangladesh receives strong sunshine throughout the whole year (3.8-6.42Kw-hr/m2) and it has been found that the average sunshine hours are 6.69, 6.16 and 4.81in winter, summer andmonsoon, respectively.[4] Bangladesh is also adopting means to use solar energy day by day. Many privateCompanies in Bangladesh import solar panels from abroad and sell them into the country. The approximatecost for importing readymade panels varies from 90-98 BDT per Wp. There are some companies which importsolar cells from foreign countries and assemble them into panels. The average cost for importing cells isapproximately 41-57 BDT per Wp. The cost of assembled panels from imported cells is approximately 78-84BDT per Wp. From the analysis it is found that, the cost of a locally produced PV panel is 10 percent lower thanimported ones [5] because of 60% cost incurs for producing cells from raw materials. Although solar panels arebeing produced in Bangladesh, till now solar cells have not been fabricated yet. In Bangladesh for the first timeBangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) is going to set up a laboratory to fabricate crystalline solarcells. It is anticipated that producing cells from raw materials locally and then assembling them into PV panelswill reduce the cost almost 30%. This paper explores how fabricating crystalline solar cells locally isanticipated to reduce cost of solar panels. If the cost effective technology could be made familiar in Bangladeshthen it would help in solving our power crisis in a great deal.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jme.v42i1.15934

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Janus – A New Approach to Air Combat Pilot Training

Transactions on Aerospace Research ◽

10.2478/tar-2019-0019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 (4) ◽

pp. 7-22

Author(s):

Georges Bridel ◽

Zdobyslaw Goraj ◽

Lukasz Kiszkowiak ◽

Jean-Georges Brévot ◽

Jean-Pierre Devaux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Cost Effective ◽

High Energy ◽

Training System ◽

Embedded Sensors ◽

Pilot Training ◽

New Approach ◽

Combat Aircraft ◽

Air Combat ◽

The Cost

Abstract Advanced jet training still relies on old concepts and solutions that are no longer efficient when considering the current and forthcoming changes in air combat. The cost of those old solutions to develop and maintain combat pilot skills are important, adding even more constraints to the training limitations. The requirement of having a trainer aircraft able to perform also light combat aircraft operational mission is adding unnecessary complexity and cost without any real operational advantages to air combat mission training. Thanks to emerging technologies, the JANUS project will study the feasibility of a brand-new concept of agile manoeuvrable training aircraft and an integrated training system, able to provide a live, virtual and constructive environment. The JANUS concept is based on a lightweight, low-cost, high energy aircraft associated to a ground based Integrated Training System providing simulated and emulated signals, simulated and real opponents, combined with real-time feedback on pilot’s physiological characteristics: traditionally embedded sensors are replaced with emulated signals, simulated opponents are proposed to the pilot, enabling out of sight engagement. JANUS is also providing new cost effective and more realistic solutions for “Red air aircraft” missions, organised in so-called “Aggressor Squadrons”.

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Growth and biochemical composition of Chlorella vulgaris in different growth media

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ◽

10.1590/0001-3765201393312 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 85 (4) ◽

pp. 1427-1438 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

MATHIAS A. CHIA ◽

ANA T. LOMBARDI ◽

MARIA DA GRACA G. MELAO

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Chlorella Vulgaris ◽

Biochemical Composition ◽

Physiological Response ◽

Low Cost ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Growth Conditions ◽

Growth Media ◽

Continuous Cultures ◽

The Cost

The need for clean and low-cost algae production demands for investigations on algal physiological response under different growth conditions. In this research, we investigated the growth, biomass production and biochemical composition of Chlorella vulgaris using semi-continuous cultures employing three growth media (LC Oligo, Chu 10 and WC media). The highest cell density was obtained in LC Oligo, while the lowest in Chu medium. Chlorophyll a, carbohydrate and protein concentrations and yield were highest in Chu and LC Oligo media. Lipid class analysis showed that hydrocarbons (HC), sterol esthers (SE), free fatty acids (FFA), aliphatic alcohols (ALC), acetone mobile polar lipids (AMPL) and phospholipids (PL) concentrations and yields were highest in the Chu medium. Triglyceride (TAG) and sterol (ST) concentrations were highest in the LC Oligo medium. The results suggested that for cost effective cultivation, LC Oligo medium is the best choice among those studied, as it saved the cost of buying vitamins and EDTA associated with the other growth media, while at the same time resulted in the best growth performance and biomass production.

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Protection of computers from side electromagnetic radiation during monitor images formation

Applied Aspects of Information Technology ◽

10.15276/aait.04.2021.7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 377-385

Author(s):

Volodymyr M. Lucenko ◽

Dmytro O. Progonov

Keyword(s):

Electromagnetic Radiation ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Low Cost ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Switching Speed ◽

Cost Effective Approach ◽

Alternative Approach ◽

Confidential Data ◽

The Cost ◽

Communication Lines

Reliable protection of confidential data processed in critical information infrastructure elements of public institutions and private organizations is topical task today. Of particular interest are methods to prevent the leakage of confidential data by localizing informative (dangerous) signals that both carry an informative component, and have a signal level higher than predefined threshold. The increase in signal energy from personal computers is caused by increasing of its transistors switching speed. Modern passive shielding methods for secured computers, similar to the well-known program TEMPEST, require either costly and large shielding units or technological simplification by using of low-cost fragmentary shielding of computer’s individual elements. Therefore, localization of side electromagnetic radiation produced by personal computer is needed. The paper presents a cost-effective approach to reducing the level of computer’s electromagnetic radiation by passive method. The radiation are localized and measured by its estimation on personal computer’s elements, namely unshielded communication lines between video processor and a monitor, fragments of electric tracks on motherboards, etc. During experiments authors used ad-hoc miniature electric (ball antenna) and magnetic (Hall sensor) antennas connected to selective voltmeters. This approach significantly reduces the cost of equipment and measurements as well as requirements to analytics’ qualification for improving computer’s protection. Also, the alternative approach for computer protection is proposed. The approach is based on image content protection by distorting the image on the monitor instead of reducing electromagnetic radiation caused by signals from the monitor. The protection includes image scrambling using Arnold transform that randomly “shuffle” the lines in each frame.

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Nanotechnology for Photovoltaic Energy

Nanotechnology ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-5125-8.ch012 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 319-346

Author(s):

Salahuddin Qazi ◽

Farhan A. Qazi

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Solar Cell ◽

Low Cost ◽

Photovoltaic Cells ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Future Research ◽

Full Potential ◽

Solar Panels ◽

The Cost ◽

Silicon Based

Solar radiation is plentiful and a clean source of power. However, despite the first practical use of silicon based solar cell more than 50 years ago, it has not been exploited to its full potential due to the high cost of electrical conversion on a per Watt basis. Many new kinds of photovoltaic cells such as multi-junction solar cells dye –sensitized solar cells and organic solar cell incorporating element of nanotechnology have been proposed to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost. Nanotechnology, in the form of quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes, and grapheme, has been shown to enhance absorption of sunlight, makes low cost flexible solar panels and increases the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. The chapter reviews the state of current photovoltaic cells and challenges it presents. It also discusses the use of nanotechnology in the application of photovoltaic cells and future research directions to improve the efficiency of solar cells and reduce the cost.

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Nanotechnology for Photovoltaic Energy

Handbook of Research on Solar Energy Systems and Technologies ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-1996-8.ch006 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 163-191

Author(s):

Salahuddin Qazi ◽

Farhan A. Qazi

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Solar Cell ◽

Low Cost ◽

Photovoltaic Cells ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Future Research ◽

Full Potential ◽

Solar Panels ◽

The Cost ◽

Silicon Based

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An Active Low Cost Mesh Networking Indoor Tracking System

International Journal of Ambient Computing and Intelligence ◽

10.4018/ijaci.2014010104 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 45-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sean Carlin ◽

Kevin Curran

Keyword(s):

Tracking System ◽

Low Cost ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Limiting Factors ◽

Unique Contribution ◽

Scalable Vector Graphics ◽

Web Technologies ◽

Working Environments ◽

System A ◽

The Cost

Indoor radio frequency tracking systems are generally quite expensive and can vary in accuracy due to interference, equipment quality or other environmental factors. Due to these limiting factors of the technology, many businesses today find it hard to justify investing in RFID tracking technologies to improve the safety, efficiency and security of their working environments. The aim of this project was to provide a budget RFID tracking system that was capable of tracking a person or object through an indoor environment. To minimize the cost of the RFID tracking system, the components of the system were built from existing electronic equipment and hardware. The software was also written to minimize licensing and support fees allowing a cost effective budget RFID tracking system to be developed. The tracking system consists of a tag, reader nodes and a PC reader which utilize synapse RF 100 engines with python scripts embedded on to the chips. The tracking system software operates through a web portal utilizing web technologies such as HTML, JavaScript and PHP to allow the tags location to be represented on a two dimensional map using scalable vector graphics. During development of the system a new trilateration algorithm was developed and used convert the signals received from the tag to a virtual position on the map correlating to the actual physical position of the tag. A unique contribution of this system is the low cost of building which we estimate as less than £200 UK sterling for a five node system.

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Through Silicon Via Technology: Cost effective Cu-TSV Interconnects by EMC3D and Technical Challenges with Cu-TSV

Additional Conferences (Device Packaging HiTEC HiTEN & CICMT) ◽

10.4071/2010dpc-ta11 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2010 (DPC) ◽

pp. 000425-000445

Author(s):

Paul Siblerud ◽

Rozalia Beica ◽

Bioh Kim ◽

Erik Young

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Cost Effective ◽

High Yield ◽

Integrated Process ◽

Wafer Level ◽

Through Silicon Via ◽

Wafer Level Packaging ◽

Current State ◽

Future Technologies ◽

Ic Technology

The development of IC technology is driven by the need to increase performance and functionality while reducing size, power and cost. The continuous pressure to meet those requirements has created innovative, small, cost-effective 3-D packaging technologies. 3-D packaging can offer significant advantages in performance, functionality and form factor for future technologies. Breakthrough in wafer level packaging using through silicon via technology has proven to be technologically beneficial. Integration of several key and challenging process steps with a high yield and low cost is key to the general adoption of the technology. This paper will outline the breakthroughs in cost associated with an iTSV or Via-Mid structure in a integrated process flow. Key process technologies enabling 3-D chip:Via formationInsulator, barrier and seed depositionCopper filling (plating),CMPWafer thinningDie to Wafer/chip alignment, bonding and dicing This presentation will investigate these techniques that require interdisciplinary coordination and integration that previously have not been practiced. We will review the current state of 3-D interconnects and the of a cost effective Via-first TSV integrated process.

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Sustainable Organic Dyes from Winemaking Lees for Photoelectrochemical Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10062149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 2149

Author(s):

Manuel Meneghetti ◽

Aldo Talon ◽

Elti Cattaruzza ◽

Emilio Celotti ◽

Elisabetta Bellantuono ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Organic Dyes ◽

Low Cost ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Simulated Solar Light ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Different Temperatures ◽

Conversion Efficiencies ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

During the last two decades, Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have received a great deal of attention as a promising, low-cost alternative to conventional silicon photovoltaic devices. Natural dye molecules can be used as a sensitizer for their low cost, good light absorbance, easy preparation process, and biodegradability. In this study, dyes were obtained from wine lees, the last by-product of winemaking process, supplied by a venetian winery (Italy). Polyphenols, like tannins and anthocyanins, which were extracted from winemaking lees, were adsorbed on a nanostructured ordered mesoporous titanium dioxide, previously treated at different temperatures (400–600 °C). Both dyes and titania semiconductor samples were studied with different techniques. The tests were carried out on prototypes to evaluate the cell power and the photocurrent generated under simulated solar light irradiation. The obtained solar energy conversion efficiencies are comparable to those that were reported in literature by using organic dyes extracted from vegetables, fruits, and plants. It is significant that these dyes are largely available and cost effective, since recovered from a waste otherwise to be disposed of, opening up a perspective of feasibility for inexpensive and environmentally friendly dye solar cells to generate green electricity and transforming agri-food waste into a resource.

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