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Ambient energy harvesting has great potential to contribute to sustainable development and address growing environmental challenges. Converting waste energy from energy-intensive processes and systems (e.g. combustion engines and furnaces) is crucial to reducing their environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions. Compact energy harvesters will also be key to powering the exponentially growing smart devices ecosystem that is part of the Internet of Things, thus enabling futuristic applications that can improve our quality of life (e.g. smart homes, smart cities, smart manufacturing, and smart healthcare). To achieve these goals, innovative materials are needed to efficiently convert ambient energy into electricity through various physical mechanisms, such as the photovoltaic effect, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and radiofrequency wireless power transfer. By bringing together the perspectives of experts in various types of energy harvesting materials, this Roadmap provides extensive insights into recent advances and present challenges in the field. Additionally, the Roadmap analyses the key performance metrics of these technologies in relation to their ultimate energy conversion limits. Building on these insights, the Roadmap outlines promising directions for future research to fully harness the potential of energy harvesting materials for green energy anytime, anywhere.

Over the past decade, perovskite photovoltaics have approached other currently available technologies and proven to be the most prospective type of solar cells. Although the many-sided research in this very active field has generated consistent results with regard to their undisputed consistently increasing power conversion efficiency, it also produced several rather contradictory opinions. Among other important details, debate surrounding their proneness to surface degradation and poor mechanical robustness, as well as the environmental footprint of this materials class, remains a moot point. The application of ionic liquids appears as one of the potential remedies to some of these challenges due to their high conductivity, the opportunities for chemical “tuning” of the structure, and relatively lower environmental footprint. This article provides an overview, classification, and applications of ionic liquids in perovskite solar cells. We summarize the use and role of ionic liquids as versatile additives, solvents, and modifiers in perovskite precursor solution, in charge transport layer, and in interfacial and stability engineering. Finally, challenges and the future prospects for the design and/or selection of ionic liquids with a specific profile that meets the requirements for next-generation highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells are proposed.

The article details the data obtained from monitoring the photovoltaic (PV) system in 2021-2023, equipped with a module for measuring basic weather parameters. The PV system under consideration, with a peak output of 3.2 kWp, is connected to the electricity grid and is mounted on the flat roof of the building. The annual relative yields of the generated energy were about 10% less than estimated, and their monthly distributions were asymmetric. In the "summer" months (i.e., from April to September), the PV system generated, on average, about 75% of the whole year’s energy. The histograms of the PV system's active power output showed that, on average, about 40% of the time, the PV inverter operated in underloaded mode. For selected weather conditions measured on site, a regression analysis was conducted with the active output power of the PV system. The main objective of the work was to develop a comprehensive method for analysing PV plant monitoring data and the impact of weather conditions on its performance. The proposed method was realized as a case study for central Poland but can be implemented anywhere.

This paper presents a comprehensive and systematic review of virtual reality (VR) as an innovative educational tool specifically for solar photovoltaic energy systems. VR technology, with its immersive and interactive capabilities, offers a unique platform for in-depth learning and practical training in the field of solar energy. The use of VR in this context not only enhances the understanding of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems but also provides a hands-on experience that is crucial for developing the necessary skills in this rapidly evolving field. Among the 6814 articles initially identified, this systematic review specifically examined 15 articles that focused on the application of VR in PV education. These selected articles demonstrate VR’s ability to accurately simulate real-world environments and scenarios related to solar energy, providing an in-depth exploration of its practical applications in this field. By offering a realistic and detailed exploration of PV systems, VR enables learners to gain a deeper understanding of harnessing, managing and using such a vast energy resource. The paper further discusses the implications of employing VR in educational settings, highlighting its potential to change the way solar energy professionals are trained, thereby contributing significantly to the acceleration of photovoltaic technology adoption and its integration into sustainable energy solutions.

Decentralized electricity production solutions based on renewable energies are increasingly used in Africa to promote the social inclusion of the population in rural areas. In these areas not served by the electricity network, there are more and more network infrastructures installed by mobile network operators that are powered by genset. These energy sources only serve to provide electricity to the site elements while the local population lives without electricity. The use of microgrid based on renewable energies, particularly solar energy, on these operator sites can contribute to achieving goals 7 and 9c of the Sustainable Development Goals Indeed, intelligent management of these microgrids can ensure a continuous supply of electricity to the mobile network operators' sites and the use of excess production to offer electricity to the local population. To achieve this convergence between universal access to telecommunications and energy, based on these microgrids, the use of an optimization algorithm for better planning and operating efficiency of these microgrids is essential. To this end, the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm was used for optimal power flow management in a multi-source and multi-load system to test the ability of microgrids to achieve this new objective. The obtained results showed that an optimal management of these microgrids guarantees a Loss of Power Supply Probability of 0.18 %, a Levelized Cost of Electricity of US$0.0187, and a Maximum Renewable Factor of 98%. Low cost of electricity obtained shows that this solution is a real opportunity for increasing universal access to electricity for low-income populations in rural areas. Similarly, the Maximum Renewable Factor value obtained shows a reduction in the running time of the genset, with the consequence of significantly reducing operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The development of floating photovoltaic systems (FPV) for coastal and offshore locations requires a solid understanding of a design's hydrodynamic performance through reliable methods. This study aims to extend insights into the hydrodynamic behavior of a superficial multi-body FPV system in mild and harsh wave conditions through basin tests at scale 1:10, with specific interest in the performance of hinges that interconnect the PV panels. Particular effort is put into correctly scaling the elasticity of the flexible hinges that interconnect the PV modules. Tests of a 5 × 3 FPV matrix are performed, with and without shelter, by external floating breakwater (FBW). The results show that the PV modules move horizontally in the same phase when the wave length exceeds the length of the FPV system, but shorter waves result in relative motions between modules and, for harsh seas, in hinge buckling. Relative motions suggest that axial loads are highest for the hinges that connect the center modules in the system and for normal wave incidence, while shear loads are highest on the outward hinges and for oblique incidence. The FBW reduces hinge loads as it attenuates the high-frequency wave energy that largely drives relative motions between PV modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of shading has been a prominent subject of discourse within the realm of photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting and is recognized as a significant detriment to the system's overall efficiency. Nevertheless, prevailing investigations, which predominantly focus on the hard shading originating from building structures and vegetation, singularly address the umbra shadow phenomenon while overlooking the complexity of shadow properties and their varying intensities. In this context, this present research aims to analyze the impact of shading caused by thin objects, wherein shadow formation deviates from a singular-intensity umbra to a blend of umbra and penumbra, exhibiting diverse intensities. In the initial experimental approach, outdoor trials produced statistically significant findings, identifying both the distance and thickness of shading objects as primary determinants influencing the impact of thin object shading on the power output of PV systems. Furthermore, the analysis of the results revealed that under the specified parameters and assumptions, when considering a thin object with a thickness-to-distance ratio of 2.3 mm/225 cm, the resulting power loss of 1.65% is statistically insignificant. Remarkably, laboratory investigations unveiled a notable correlation between penumbra and power loss, contrasting with outdoor experimentation results. The findings highlight the distinction between indoor and outdoor methodologies, stemming from discrepancies in shadow formation characteristics, thereby emphasizing the necessity of acknowledging and comprehending these variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A desire to shift from fossil fuels to non-carbon-emitting energy sources has become an imperative supported by national, state, and local policies. In the U.S., a diverse array of policies at multiple levels of government have helped the solar industry achieve exponential growth. These advancements, however, are mediated by local implementation processes, which might be expected to have a large impact in the context of U.S. federalism. This paper investigates the effects of two countervailing forces – policy incentives and implementation disincentives – on residential solar adoption in New Jersey. The New Jersey case study includes two complementary analyses designed to illuminate policy incentives and implementation disincentives, respectively. The first is an interrupted time-series analysis that evaluates the effects of federal and statewide renewable energy policies on residential photovoltaic (PV) growth. The second is a set of semi-structured in-depth interviews with solar industry experts, providing implementation insights from the solar industry and indirectly portraying residential customers' experiences. Results confirm that market-based instruments at the state-level play a crucial role in increasing the relative financial advantage of these systems and, thus, the attraction of residential solar PV to adopters. In addition, the behaviours of future adopters and the valuation of this technology as an investment in the housing market will impact the spread of residential PV systems in the future. Unfortunately, case study findings also confirm that an absence of standardized solar application procedures and outdated interconnection standards is a significant drag on the adoption rate. This highlights a need for policymakers to place greater emphasis on local implementation pathways in solar policy design. Options to achieve this include more robust ex-ante coordination among state and local levels of government and with industry to standardize implementation processes. While U.S. federalism may at times be constraining, our results suggest that even minimal levels of ex-ante coordination can lead to implementation gains that will have a large impact on solar diffusion outcomes. Federal and state-level financial incentives significantly impact the residential photovoltaic solar adoption rate. The absence of streamlined interconnection application procedures and outdated interconnection standards for the grid limit the residential PV adoption in New Jersey. Our findings underline the importance of paying equal attention to both policy design and to technical standards to underpin implementation processes, especially in the decentralized context of U.S. federalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is intensive research by the community to improve materials for renewable energy applications such as hydrogen production, photovoltaics and light-emitting diodes. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an important material where we can improve its fundamental properties, through doping aiming to form more efficient devices. Here, we use electronic structure calculations based on density function theory (DFT) to explore the effect of dopants, such as boron (B), germanium (Ge), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W), on the structural and electronic properties of TiO2. We investigated both the interstitial and the oxygen substitutional positions, and for the minimized energy optimized structures, we used hybrid DFT calculations to predict the electronic properties through the density of states, which proved costly but not as much to outweigh their advantage in accuracy. For most cases considered, the dopants reduce the theoretical bandgap of TiO2, while gap states form. The variation of the bandgap ranges from a very small increase of 0.04 eV to a significant decrease of 0.8 eV, while the exact "position" of new gap states differs for each type of dopant and for its "spot" in the crystalline structure. It is proposed that these states and the change of the bandgap contribute to the significant changes in the optical and electronic properties of TiO2 and can be beneficial to the photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications of TiO2 and its implementation for hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dopant‐free hole transporting materials (HTMs) is significant to the stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we developed a novel star‐shape arylamine HTM, termed Py‐DB, with a pyrene core and carbon‐carbon double bonds as the bridge units. Compared to the reference HTM (termed Py‐C), the extension of the planar conjugation backbone endows Py‐DB with typical intermolecular π–π stacking interactions and excellent solubility, resulting in improved hole mobility and film morphology. In addition, the lower HOMO energy level of the Py‐DB HTM provides efficient hole extraction with reduced energy loss at the perovskite/HTM interface. Consequently, an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.33 % was achieved for dopant‐free Py‐DB‐based PSCs, which is the highest PCE for dopant‐free small molecular HTMs in n‐i‐p configured PSCs. The dopant‐free Py‐DB‐based device also exhibits improved long‐term stability, retaining over 90 % of its initial efficiency after 1000 h exposure to 25 % humidity at 60 °C. These findings provide valuable insights and approaches for the further development of dopant‐free HTMs for efficient and reliable PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly zero-emission buildings (nZEBs) are increasingly being constructed in Europe. There are also incentives to refurbish older buildings and transform them into nZEBs. However, permission is not always granted for their connection to the grid to infuse surplus photovoltaic electricity due to the grid being overloaded with a large number of renewables. In this study, the case of a refurbished school building in Central Greece is examined. After refurbishing it, a significant amount of photovoltaic electricity surplus is observed during the summer and neutral months, which cannot be exported to the grid. The absence of an adequate battery storage capacity resulted in the rejection of an application for exporting the school's surplus to the network and the photovoltaic installation staying idle. An alternative approach is proposed in this work, involving a shift in the export of the photovoltaic electricity surplus to the evening hours, in order for the school to be granted permission to export it to the network. To this end, an optimal battery storage size is sought by employing a building energy system simulation. The mode of operation of the battery designed for this application is set to discharge daily, in order to export the electricity surplus in the afternoon hours to the evening hours, when it is favorable for the network. Additionally, the optimal size of the thermal energy storage of the heating system is studied to further improve its energy efficiency. Our battery and storage tank size optimization study shows that a significant battery capacity is required, with 12 kWh/kWp photovoltaic panels being recommended for installation. The ever-decreasing cost of battery installations results in the net present value (NPV) of the additional investment for the battery installation becoming positive. The solution proposed forms an alternative path to further increase the penetration of renewables in saturated networks in Greece by optimizing battery storage capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current density–voltage characteristic (J–V) is a critical tool for understanding the behavior of solar cells. This study presents an overview of the key aspects of J–V analysis and introduces a user‐friendly flowchart that facilitates the swift identification of the most probable limiting process in a solar cell, based mainly on the outcomes of light‐intensity‐dependent J–V measurements. The flowchart is developed through extensive drift‐diffusion simulations and a rigorous review of the literature, with a specific focus on perovskite and organic solar cells. Moreover, the flowchart proposes supplementary experiments that can be conducted to obtain a more precise prediction of the primary performance losses. It therefore serves as an optimal starting point to analyse performance losses of solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid perovskite photovoltaics (PVs) promise cost‐effective fabrication with large‐scale solution‐based manufacturing processes as well as high power conversion efficiencies. Almost all of today's high‐performance solution‐processed perovskite absorber films rely on so‐called quenching techniques that rapidly increase supersaturation to induce a prompt crystallization. However, to date, there are no metrics for comparing results obtained with different quenching methods. In response, the first quantitative modeling framework for gas quenching, anti‐solvent quenching, and vacuum quenching is developed herein. Based on dynamic thickness measurements in a vacuum chamber, previous works on drying dynamics, and commonly known material properties, a detailed analysis of mass transfer dynamics is performed for each quenching technique. The derived models are delivered along with an open‐source software framework that is modular and extensible. Thereby, a deep understanding of the impact of each process parameter on mass transfer dynamics is provided. Moreover, the supersaturation rate at critical concentration is proposed as a decisive benchmark of quenching effectiveness, yielding ≈ 10−3 − 10−1s−1 for vacuum quenching, ≈ 10−5 − 10−3s−1 for static gas quenching, ≈ 10−2 − 100s−1 for dynamic gas quenching and ≈ 102s−1 for antisolvent quenching. This benchmark fosters transferability and scalability of hybrid perovskite fabrication, transforming the "art of device making" to well‐defined process engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoscopic carbon‐based perovskite solar cells (C‐PSCs) have the potential to be manufactured at an industrial scale by utilizing screen‐printing, a simple, affordable, and commercially mature process. As such, many recent publications have focused on enhancing performance through modifying cell architecture and perovskite chemistries. This work examines how ink rheology can be tuned to optimize cell performance through reducing the occurrence of common print defects to create higher quality m‐TiO2 films. Inks with different solvent dilutions and rheological profiles are assessed using high‐speed imaging through the screen‐printing visualization (SPV) technique, to investigate the impact of the viscosity and elasticity on ink separation mechanisms. The resultant film quality and its influence on device performances are then assessed. Ink separation lengths are minimized, and the formation of filaments ceases during printing, leading to improved TiO2 film topography and homogenous infiltration of the perovskite precursor. Consequently, PCE is improved by over 10% of the original efficiency in cells and 224 cm2 active area modules due to enhanced Voc and FF. These results not only provide key insights into tailoring ink rheology, to achieve improved print homogeneity and higher performing cells, but also aid further work on enhancing the performance of other screen‐printed functional films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mathematical modeling of solar cells and panels is critical in many photovoltaic applications. However, the standard single-diode solar cell model, commonly selected to model these devices, is implicit and difficult to integrate into simulation software. Therefore, exact explicit solutions of this model, more suitable for computing purposes, have been proposed based on the Lambert W-function. This work introduces an explicit single-diode, easy-to-use six-parameter solar cell model. The proposed model is formulated with elementary functions. The model is developed and tested over seven photovoltaic technologies as an alternative to traditional approaches. Results of the extensive comparison of the three models (implicit, explicit Lambert W, and explicit six-parameter) show that the proposed approach is more accurate (14.81% relative improvement on average compared to the traditional methods), almost as fast as the Lambert W approach and much faster than the implicit approach. Due to its simplicity and accuracy, the proposed model will become an alternative in photovoltaic applications such as energy prediction and maximum power point tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been an increasing interest in solar-driven combined energy supply systems for low-temperate applications, particularly those based on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), Kalina Cycle (KC), or Trilateral Cycle (TLC). However, systems based on these thermodynamic cycles usually employ large area collectors that stand alone or are placed on the roof, without considering integration with the building facade. This research presents a solution to large-scale photothermal utilization integrated with facades for co-generated systems. The current study is the first to conduct performance and economic assessment for four novel solar cooling and power (SCP) co-generated systems driven by evacuated tube solar collectors (ETCs) or semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) integrated into the building facades. The suggested systems were simulated using TRNSYS to forecast their performance metrics when used in four Chinese cities with various climate zones. As indicators, a solar fraction (SF) and unit energy cost (UEC) were used to evaluate the technical and financial aspects of each system. The STPV-vapor compression cycle (VCC) system had the highest SF (100%, except Haikou), as well as the lowest UEC (0.211$/kWh on average) among the four cities, according to the results. Among the three solar-thermal co-generation systems, ETC-ORC-VCC had the best performance (SF,37.9%; UEC,0.597$/kWh on average). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an improved constant current step based on the grey wolf optimization (CCS-GWO) algorithm for photovoltaic systems is investigated. The development of grey wolf optimization has been widely spread over photovoltaic applications. This method is one of the metaheuristic swarm optimization algorithm groups inspired by an optimum means of chasing prey by grey wolves. The proposed technique applies constant current steps to the pack of wolves (alpha, beta, and omega) by monitoring the average of the internal current step and external current step in order to target the leader alpha wolf position. Moreover, the proposed technique solves the convergence process issues, low convergence speed, and premature local optima problems of the traditional GWO algorithm. This CCS-GWO algorithm accurately tracks the maximum power point from the photovoltaic systems for load charging in different partial shading conditions (PSCs). A number of standard benchmark functions are presented with low average cost functions and their corresponding standard deviation values. The simulation results revealed that the proposed CCS-GWO approach outperforms the existing GWO and GA algorithms in terms of efficiency (98.55%) and tracking time (0.3 s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel oxide (NiOx) has received a lot of attention as an inorganic hole transport material (HTM) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) during the last decade, owing to its high hole mobility, chemical stability, good optical transparency, and suitable energy levels that align with the valance band of the perovskite absorber methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3). This study explores Li and Mg co‐doped NiOx thin films physically‐deposited from developed sputtering targets obtained through cold isostatic pressing and sintering. After sputtering, the structural, elemental, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the layers are investigated by XRD, XPS, SEM, AFM, UV–vis spectrophotometer, and Hall‐effect; revealing that crystalline, homogeneous, and smooth films are obtained. In particular, improvements in mobility and conductivity values are observed with Li and Mg doping, which contribute to enhanced PSC performance when used as an HTM layer in the glass‐indium tin oxide (ITO)/NiOx‐based HTM/MAPbI3/phenyl butryic acid methyl ester (PCBM)/bathocuproine (BCP)/Ag architecture. The champion solar cell achieves PCE of 15.52%. In addition, the average values of all samples are boosted, JSC (from 13.21 to 15.60 mA cm−2) and FF (from 59.32% to 67.7%), relative to pristine HTM, resulting in a pronounced PCE increment of up to 30% with the HTM film sputtered by a single target of co‐doped material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems have generated much interest in the literature, due to the potential synergies with existing hydropower reservoirs. This is of particular relevance to Aotearoa New Zealand, where the national grid's heavy reliance on hydro resources has left the country prone to energy shortages during dry years. This paper investigates the potential implications of a 1-gigawatt peak fleet of distributed FPV systems on seven hydro schemes around the country. The results show that an FPV fleet in Aotearoa New Zealand could provide additional electricity generation when the controlled hydropower storage is low. A larger, wider rollout would allow for the reservoirs to replenish after the country's unique winter peak in electricity demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The output of photovoltaic (PV) devices is mostly independent of the wavelength of the incident light, whereas an anomalous wavelength‐dependent photovoltaic effect (WDPE) has recently been observed in antimony chalcohalide‐chalcogenide (SbSI:Sb2S3) PVs. Remarkably, the open‐circuit voltage (VOC) exhibits a reversible change between low VOC for short wavelengths and high VOC for long wavelengths. Herein, this work presents i) insights into the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon by electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements and ii) the switchable character of WDPE depending on the hole transport material (HTM). Operando ESR measurements with light irradiation revealed that the hole density in the HTM is significantly suppressed when the ultraviolet component is included in the irradiation light. This indicated interfacial charge recombination rather than hole transfer to the HTM under short‐wavelength light irradiation, providing a basis for understanding the mechanism of WDPE. Furthermore, the use of poly(triarylamine) as the HTM unexpectedly exhibit the opposite wavelength‐VOC dependence, where a low VOC is observed with long‐wavelength light. In addition, the introduction of a polar gas accelerated the response speed of these effects. These findings shed light on the expansion of unique wavelength‐responsive single junction devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For electrosynthesis of carbon fuels from CO2, engineered catalysts have improved the electrochemical (EC) reduction efficiency. However, most EC systems rely on a batch reactor, which is not relevant for Cn fuels with high n (n ≥ 3) due to low selectivity. For enhanced electron‐to‐fuel (ETF) efficiency, modular configurations are advantageous. The best configurations allowing high yield reduction of CO2 into Cn fuels are investigated. It is found that serial and parallel configurations exhibit four to five times higher ETF efficiency than simple batch reactor. The best photovoltaic (PV) tandem cells made of metal halide perovskite for the optimized EC modular systems are also found. These materials have a bandgap tunability covering most Cn fuels. With the computationally optimized tandem PVs, it is found that the [PV+EC] series configuration achieves up to 2.28% and 2.86% solar‐to‐fuel (STF) efficiency of C3 aldehydes and alcohols, which are greater than what has been reported in the literature. For C4 aldehydes and alcohols, the [PV+EC] parallel configuration achieves up to 0.17% and 0.21% STF efficiency, respectively. The present study on modules and materials design will provide a useful way to create EC production of Cn fuels that can help reach carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Down‐conversion (DC) is a phenomenon that can enable the observation of photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) values exceeding 100%. A comprehensive study of the DC properties of BaF2–based single crystals with different Er3+ doping levels (1–25 mol.%) is presented. The samples exhibit a PLQY of 110% in the 1550–1650 nm under 405 nm excitation. This remarkable PLQY is attributed to a cross‐relaxation process within the energy levels of Er3+. Furthermore, when considering all emitted photons in the 1000–1650 nm range, the PLQY reaches 153% for a sample doped with 5 mol.% of Er3+. By integrating the emission of this single crystal with a Ge diode, serving as an example of a photovoltaic device sensitive to short‐wave infrared light, a significant enhancement in short‐circuit current is demonstrated. In a broader context, the presented material holds promise for improving the spectral response of low‐bandgap photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-junction photovoltaics approaches are being explored to mitigate thermalization losses that occur in the absorption of high-energy photons. However, the design of tandem cells faces challenges such as light reflection and parasitic absorption. Nanostructures have emerged as promising solutions due to their anti-reflection properties, which enhances light absorption. III-V nanowires (NWs) solar cells can achieve strong power conversion efficiencies, offering the advantage of potentially integrating tunnel diodes within the same fabrication process. Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have gained attention for their optoelectronic attributes and cost-effectiveness. Notably, both material classes allow for tunable bandgaps. This study explores the integration of MHPs with III-V NWs solar cells in both two-terminal and three-terminal configurations. Our primary focus lies in the optical analysis of a tandem design using III-V semiconductor nanowire arrays in combination with perovskites, highlighting their potential for tandem applications. The space offered by the compact footprint of NW arrays is used in an interpenetrated tandem structure. We systematically optimize the bottom cell, addressing reflectivity and parasitic absorption, and extend to a full tandem structure, considering experimentally feasible thicknesses. Simulation of a three-terminal structure highlights a potential increase in efficiency, decoupling the operating points of the subcells. The two-terminal analysis underscores the benefits of nanowires in reducing reflection and achieving a higher matched current between the top and the bottom cells. This research provides significant insights into NW tandem solar cell optics, enhancing our understanding of their potential to improve photovoltaic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of near-autonomous micro-grids in commercial or public building complexes is gaining increasing popularity. Short-term storage capacity is provided by means of large battery installations, or, more often, by the employees' increasing use of electric vehicle batteries, which are allowed to operate in bi-directional charging mode. In addition to the above short-term storage means, a long-term storage medium is considered essential to the optimal operation of the building's micro-grid. The most promising long-term energy storage carrier is hydrogen, which is produced by standard electrolyzer units by exploiting the surplus electricity produced by photovoltaic installation, due to the seasonal or weekly variation in a building's electricity consumption. To this end, a novel concept is studied in this paper. The details of the proposed concept are described in the context of a nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) and the associated micro-grid. The hydrogen produced is stored in a high-pressure tank to be used occasionally as fuel in an advanced technology hydrogen spark ignition engine, which moves a synchronous generator. A size optimization study is carried out to determine the genset's rating, the electrolyzer units' capacity and the tilt angle of the rooftop's photovoltaic panels, which minimize the building's interaction with the external grid. The hydrogen-fueled genset engine is optimally sized to 40 kW (0.18 kW/kWp PV). The optimal tilt angle of the rooftop PV panels is 39°. The maximum capacity of the electrolyzer units is optimized to 72 kW (0.33 kWmax/kWp PV). The resulting system is tacitly assumed to integrate to an external hydrogen network to make up for the expected mismatches between hydrogen production and consumption. The significance of technology in addressing the current challenges in the field of energy storage and micro-grid optimization is discussed, with an emphasis on its potential benefits. Moreover, areas for further research are highlighted, aiming to further advance sustainable energy solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid vapor deposition is one of the most appealing processes for perovskite photovoltaics fabrication, thanks to its versatile nature. By using sequentially different vapor deposition processes tailored to the inorganic and organic perovskite precursors' peculiarities, this type of process gives access to the full potential of vapor deposition. While vapor deposition of metal halides is well understood and mastered, vapor deposition of organohalide species is much more delicate (degradation of vapors, high vapor pressure, setup‐specific constraints). Here, a novel close space sublimation system is reported and in‐depth insights on the conversion into perovskite of a metal halide template are provided. In this evolution of the process, the substrate coated with metal halide template and the organohalide source are loaded together in a dedicated holder, then transferred into a vacuum chamber on a heating element already at temperature setpoint. The system enables a simple, fast, low‐cost, and easy‐to‐reproduce organohalide vapor deposition process. The formation of the perovskite in situ and identification different conversion regimes are studied. Furthermore, the influence of the chemical environment and chamber design on the process are discussed. Compositional tuning and additive engineering in the process are processed and fabricate proof of concept photovoltaic devices reaching high fill factors of 80% and 17% power conversion efficiency for a bandgap of 1.63 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A N, N‐dimethylformamide and thiourea‐based route is developed to fabricate submicron (0.55 and 0.75 µm) thick CuIn(S,Se)2 (CISSe) thin films for photovoltaic applications, addressing challenges of material usage, throughput, and manufacturing costs. However, reducing the absorber film thickness below 1 µm in a regular CISSe solar cell decreases the device efficiency due to losses at the highly‐recombinative, and mediocre‐reflective Mo/CISSe rear interface. For the first time, to mitigate the rear recombination losses, a novel rear contacting structure involving a surface passivation layer and point contact openings is developed for solution processed CISSe films and demonstrated in tangible devices. An atomic layer deposited Al2O3 film is employed to passivate the Mo/CISSe rear surface while precipitates formed via chemical bath deposition of CdS are used to generate nanosized point openings. Consequently, Al2O3 passivated CISSe solar cells show an increase in the open‐circuit voltage (VOC) and short‐circuit current density when compared to reference cells with equivalent absorber thicknesses. Notably, a VOC increase of 59 mV contributes to active area efficiencies of 14.2% for rear passivated devices with 0.75 µm thick absorber layers, the highest reported value for submicron‐based solution processed, low bandgap CISSe solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been an exponential rush toward the optimization of solar cell (SC) performance utilizing novel materials. Overcoming the previous drawbacks of the SCs became possible through the special merits of the new materials, considering their high carrier mobility, environmental stability, and fabrication compatibility. In this study, two solar cell structures with Cs 2 TiBr 6 metal halide perovskite (PVK) as an absorber layer are proposed and compared. The proposed device structures utilize molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), a 2D material with a thickness of 100 nm as a hole transport layer (HTL). (MoS 2 ) offers several useful properties such as high carrier mobility and great chemical and thermal stability. As a comparative result, two SC structures, TiO 2 /Cs 2 TiBr 6 /MoS 2 /PEDOT:PSS and TiO 2 /Cs 2 TiBr 6 /MoS 2 , were investigated. The Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator in One Dimension (SCAPS-1D) is utilized to perform numerical simulations of the proposed SC structures. The simulation results indicate a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.39% and 19.29% for the structure in the presence and absence of the PEDOT:PSS layer, respectively. This study investigated factors concerning absorber layer thickness, trap density, doping density, temperature, series resistance, and shunt resistance. Furthermore, the simulation results thoroughly scrutinized the nature of phenomena influencing the short-circuit current density (J sc ), open circuit voltage (V oc ), fill factor (FF), and PCE. The power conversion efficiency of the structure with an optimum 357.9-nm-thick absorber layer with only MoS 2 as the HTL was 19.77%, while the device with a hybrid HTL has 18.78% efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper offers innovative cooking utensil designs for remote, isolated, and even peri-urban communities at a low price, with high reliability and simple construction. It can alleviate energy poverty and improve food security. This utensil uses only local solar energy directly and allows comfortable indoor cooking. This paper provides the design principles of a solar cooker/frying pan or generic heater, based on a PV panel or a plurality of them, which are directly connected to a plurality of Positive Thermal Coefficient (PTC) resistors to match the power. PTCs are nowadays produced in massive quantities and are widely available at low cost. The proposed device does not require an electronic controller or a battery for its operation. The aim is for family use, although the design can be easily scaled to a larger size or power, maintaining its simplicity. Electric heating inside or attached to the cooking pot, plus the temperature self-limiting effect of PTCs, allows for thermally insulating the cooking pot from its outside using ordinary materials. Insulation enhances energy efficiency during cooking and keeps cooked food warm for a long time. Clean development would receive a significant impulse with its application. A simple mathematical model describes its functioning and states guidelines for adequate design. Its results indicate a successful proof of concept and high efficiency both for water and oil as representatives of cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, due to the global energy crisis, the idea of a photovoltaic-assisted air-source heat pump (PV-ASHP) has become increasingly popular. This study provides a simulation in TRNSYS and the analysis of the use of a PV-ASHP system in a service building in different climate zones of Poland. For each of the six cities—Kolobrzeg, Poznan, Krakow, Warsaw, Mikolajki, and Suwalki, the effect of changing five system parameters (area, efficiency, type, and location of photovoltaic panels, and the use of a heat pump control strategy) on the amount of energy generated and consumed was determined. We also estimated the extent to which the photovoltaic panels could cover the energy requirements for the heat pump (HP) operation and the system could provide thermal comfort in the service room. Finally, a simplified analysis of the operating costs and capital expenditures was made. The results highlighted the issue of the incoherence of renewable energy sources and the need to store surplus energy under Polish climatic conditions. Abandoning the HP control strategy increased energy consumption by 36–62%, depending on the location and Variant, while the change in the place of the PV panels on the roof slope reduced energy generation by 16–22%. When applied to an ASHP in a service building, the use of PV panels to power it seems to be cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, density functional theory‐based comparative studies on cubic CsMX3 (M‐: Pb, Sn, Ge; X‐: Cl, Br, I) and rhombohedral CsGeI3 perovskites are reported. The structural stability indicator analysis shows that Ge‐based perovskites may exhibit small rhombohedral distortion led by lone pair (4s2$s^{2}$) electrons on off‐centering Ge atom. The role of lone pair on Ge atom in rhombohedral distortion is corroborated by bond length, electronegativity, and charge density distributions. Nearly agreeable bandgap (Eg$E_{g}$) values are noticed for cubic CsPbX3 (X‐: Cl, Br, I) and rhombohedral CsGeI3, and the corresponding values are 3.04, 2.30, 1.72, and 1.45 eV, respectively. The effect of Jishi et al. reparameteried Tran–Blaha‐modified Becke–Johnson exchange‐correlation (XC) potential is discussed in context of optoelectronic properties. The changes in bandgap are attributed to the lifting of electronic degeneracy either by spin‐orbit coupling or symmetry lowering in rhombohedral distortion. The rhombohedral CsGeI3 is thus further emphasized to account its ferroelectricity with computed total polarization (ΔP$\DeltaP$) around 32.75 μC cm−2. The suitable Eg$E_{g}$ (1.45 eV), high absorption (≈105 cm−1), tolerable reflectivity (19%), and carrier effective masses (0.61 and 0.27) enable rhombohedral CsGeI3 (superior 30.5% spectroscopy‐limited maximum efficiency [SLME] at 1 μm thickness) to outperform conventional CsPbI3 (27.6% SLME at 1 μm) and others which may attract PV community to further address its underexplored promise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating rivalry between the US and China in the photovoltaics industry has brought increased attention to Chinese nationalism towards the industry. This study examines how media narration and group behavior are associated with nationalist responses to China's photovoltaics, using 4558 comments and 11 video texts related to the geopolitical issues of China's photovoltaics on the Bilibili platform. By applying ordinal logit, OLS, and ARMA regression analyses, this study finds that: (1) Nationalism in the comment zone tends to be positively associated with media's narration of the West's crackdown on China's photovoltaics, blaming of Western countries and labeling of the West as a hegemonic force compared to China. (2) Nationalism in the comment zone tends to be negatively associated with the media's narration of China's photovoltaics' strengths and achievements and its counterstrike against the West. (3) Media's narration of China PV's deficiencies and its capitalism-socialism narrative framework are insignificant to nationalism in the comment zone. (4) A cycle of conformity and anticonformity of nationalism emerges over time, demonstrating the strengthening of internal consistency and divergence among various internet groups. While complementing the existing literature, this study provides policy insights into controlling cyber nationalism by reducing blaming discourses, identity antithesis in narrations, and polarization of political sentiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As cities and economies grow, energy demands also grow, especially in developing countries, given the material production, construction, and operational processes of buildings and cities. Since the recent Powerhouse standard assumes that a building can generate as much energy as it will require during its lifespan, the present study aimed to implement this building standard in the Andean equatorial climate. For this purpose, a building energy model (BEM) integrated into a building information modeling (BIM) process design method was proposed, developing a prototype with vernacular technology, high solar potential, and local or regional data on embodied energy in accordance with a life cycle assessment (LCA) from cradle to grave. Solar potential estimations were complemented by system advisor model (SAM) tool projections. Because of the low energy content of the vernacular architecture proposal and prototype development with a high generation capacity, this standard can be met six times faster in the Andean equatorial climate than in extreme seasonal climates (8.53 years versus 60.0 years). The main goal of our research was to propose a methodological approach that integrates the BEM tool with vernacular concepts and materials and architectural formal criteria for high solar exploitation that, with background data from the literature, makes it possible to decipher the capability of the proposed energy standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, an innovative approach is presented to the sizing and technical–economic analysis of battery energy‐storage systems (BESS) designed for customers in the free energy market in Brazil. The tool enables the integration of photovoltaic (PV) energy sources and includes a comparison between the BESS + PV system and diesel generators. Integrating the computational capabilities of Microsoft Excel in the backend and the intuitive interface of PowerApps in the front end, the sizing process is based on analyzing historical energy invoices spanning at least 12 months or loading data with a 1 h measurement interval. The data discretization over the 8760 h of the year, considering the consumer's load profile, is facilitated by the PowerApps interface, providing a comprehensive visualization of the technical‐economic sizing results for BESS. A case study is conducted for a commercial load with a specific tariff for free energy market customers, revealing viable solutions for BESS compared to diesel alternatives. In this approach, it is aimed to simplify the analysis and decision‐making process, offering a valuable tool for power system engineers to evaluate sustainable and economically viable solutions in the Brazilian free energy market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of industrially relevant deposition processes for efficient, stable, and inexpensive charge extracting layers is crucial for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This work demonstrates, for the first time, the deposition of copper thiocyanate (CuSCN) as a low‐cost and reliable hole‐transport layer using slot‐die coating. Methyl ethyl sulfide is thereby used as an asymmetric cosolvent to significantly increase the solubility of CuSCN in the utilized slot‐die ink compared to traditional pure diethyl sulfide‐based solutions. Optimized CuSCN inks allow for the deposition of CuSCN layers on 5 × 10 cm2 substrates with a wide range of thicknesses. Multidimensional imaging photoluminescence techniques are used to investigate the uniformity of the CuSCN thin films deposition as well as the influence of the solvent on charge losses. Finally, the CuSCN slot‐die deposition is integrated into a fully upscalable PSC fabrication process showing 19.1% power conversion efficiency for small laboratory cells and 14.7% for 9 cm2 minimodules. Furthermore, semitransparent minimodules retain 80% of their initial efficiency after 500 h of constant illumination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All freely available plane‐of‐array (POA) transposition models and photovoltaic (PV) temperature and performance models in pvlib‐python and pvpltools‐python were examined against multiyear field data from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The data include different PV systems composed of crystalline silicon modules that vary in cell type, module construction, and materials. These systems have been characterized via IEC 61853‐1 and 61853‐2 testing, and the input data for each model were sourced from these system‐specific test results, rather than considering any generic input data (e.g., manufacturer's specification [spec] sheets or generic Panneau Solaire [PAN] files). Six POA transposition models, 7 temperature models, and 12 performance models are included in this comparative analysis. These freely available models were proven effective across many different types of technologies. The POA transposition models exhibited average normalized mean bias errors (NMBEs) within ±3%. Most PV temperature models underestimated temperature exhibiting mean and median residuals ranging from −6.5°C to 2.7°C; all temperature models saw a reduction in root mean square error when using transient assumptions over steady state. The performance models demonstrated similar behavior with a first and third interquartile NMBEs within ±4.2% and an overall average NMBE within ±2.3%. Although differences among models were observed at different times of the day/year, this study shows that the availability of system‐specific input data is more important than model selection. For example, using spec sheet or generic PAN file data with a complex PV performance model does not guarantee a better accuracy than a simpler PV performance model that uses system‐specific data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential‐induced degradation‐polarization (PID‐p) can reduce module power, but how to project the extent to which PID‐p may occur in field conditions considering the factors of system voltage, condensed moisture, temperature, and illumination has not been clarified. Using tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) modules, this work demonstrates a method to test full‐size crystalline silicon PV modules for PID‐p to provide field‐representative results. In initial screening tests with positive or negative 1000 V electrical bias applied at 60°C for 96 h using Al foil electrodes on the glass surfaces, the module type exhibited reversible PID‐p only on the front face when the cell circuit was in negative voltage potential. No PID was detected on the rear after testing in either polarity. We then evaluated the PID‐p sensitivity on the front side under different UV irradiances while maintaining the glass surface wet to estimate real‐world susceptibility to PID‐p. The magnitude of the observed behavior was fit using a previously developed charge transfer and depletion by light model. Whereas power loss with −1000 V applied to the cell circuit at 60°C for 96 h in the dark was about 30%, testing the module front under 0.051 W·m−2 nm−1 at 340 nm UVA irradiation using fluorescent tubes, the mean degradation was only 3%. When the modules were tested in the dark for PID‐p with in situ dark current–voltage (I‐V) characterization, the thermal activation energy for degradation was 0.71 eV; for recovery in the dark, it was 0.58 eV. Whereas recovery from the degraded state at 60°C in the dark without voltage bias was 5% absolute in 38 h, rapid recovery of about 5% absolute was observed with 1000 W·s/m2 exposure at 25°C using a flash tester. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]