Advanced and Recent Renewable Energy Technology

Based Solar Power Generation

Ra. Vignesh1 R. Sirajudeen2
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Engineering College , Perambalur-621212
viks.ra23@gmail.com1 sirajraffi@gmail.com2

ABSTRACT To eradicate power scarcity, we are in

This paper gives a clear view of the
advanced version of the organic solar cells
i.e. ‘Hybrid Organic Solar Cells’ which are
the upcoming methodology of the OSCs.
Also the methods of improving the
efficiency of Hybrid Organic Solar Cells
and new future technology called the
Funneling Solar Technology which will
require a small portion of solar panels
instead of having the whole roof, which
uplift us economically, & a very new
modern technology called the Hyper Solar
Technology which is a breakthrough
technology to magnify the power of the
Sun to significantly increase the power
output of solar cells has been given. Dye
Sensitized Solar cells which are extremely
efficient for the future generation is also
included in this paper.
I. INTRODUCTION
need of a constant renewable energy
source which has to be cheaper, long
lasting, and efficient and which will be
more sufficient for the future. The above
said all requirements will be satisfied only
by the Solar Energy. The Solar power we
have utilized up to 2010 is very less when
compared to all other renewable energy
resources. But we know that only the solar
is reliable and almost it’s initial and
maintenance cost is very less. The solar
powers generated by the panels are almost
good but then too we are in need of
improving the panel’s efficiency. We can
improve the solar cell’s efficiency or the
panel’s efficiency, anyhow the power
generation will be more and more if we
make the sun to concentrate more on the
solar panels then the efficiency will be
doubled. In this paper we are going to
discuss about the technologies which are
very essential to the solar power
generation. First of all, we are going to
view about the Hybrid solar cells, which
combine the advantages of both the
organic and inorganic semiconductors.
Then the Funneling solar technology,
Antenna Made of Carbon Nanotubes can
concentrate solar energy 100 times more
than regular photovoltaic cells are
implemented. Such nanotubes could form
antennas that capture and focus light
energy, potentially allowing much smaller
and more powerful solar arrays. This is
also one of the promising technologies of
the future. . The Hyper Solar is developing
a breakthrough technology to magnify the
power of the Sun to significantly increase
the power output of solar cells. This
breakthrough offers a new approach to
significantly lower the cost per watt of
solar panels by inexpensively delivering
more sunlight to the expensive solar cells.
Dye-sensitized solar cell is a class of low-
cost solar cell belonging to the group of
thin film solar cells. It is based on a
semiconductor formed between a photo-
sensitized anode and an electrolyte; a
photo electrochemical system. It is made
of low-cost materials and does not require
elaborate apparatus to manufacture, this
cell is technically attractive.
II.HYBRID ORGANIC
SOLAR CELLS:
Hybrid solar cells combine advantages of
both organic and inorganic
semiconductors. Hybrid photovoltaics
have organic materials that consist of
conjugated polymers 2 that absorb light as
the donor and transport holes. Inorganic
materials in hybrid cell are used as the
acceptor and electron transporter in the
structure
hours. And they are low-cost,
environmentally efficient, unsealed plastic
dollar cells – a green energy source.
Developing economically viable plastic
solar panels and to produce them in large
scale has been the long time goal for the
scientists as the cost of ultra high-purity
silicon used in the traditionally
manufactured solar cells is quite
prohibitive. These are the solar cells of
future – to be available to common man
easily. The future looks bright for hybrid
organic solar cells. They are Inexpensive,
lightweight plastic solar-cell products, like
a blanket or sheet that can be rolled up,
will change the solar energy industry
SOLAR CELLS

2.HYBRID ORGANIC NANO

CRYSTAL SOLAR CELLS

The hybrid photovoltaic devices have a

significant potential for not only low-cost
by roll-to-roll processing but also scalable
solar power conversion.

III. IMPROVEMENT OF
EFFICIENCY OF HOSC
1. MORE EFFICIENT PLASTIC
HYBRID ORGANIC
The plastic solar cells have now an
Fig.2: Hybrid organic solar cell structure
operating life of 8 months instead of mere
Recent results have demonstrated that
hybrid photovoltaic cells based on a blend
of inorganic nanocrystals and polymers
possess significant potential for low-cost,
scalable solar power conversion. Colloidal
semiconductor nanocrystals, like
polymers, are solution processable and
chemically synthesized, but possess the
advantageous properties of inorganic
semiconductors such as a broad spectral
absorption range and high carrier
mobilities. Significant advances in hybrid
solar cells have followed the development
of elongated nanocrystal rods and
branched nanocrystals, which enable more
effective charge transport. The
incorporation of these larger
nanostructures into polymers has required
optimization of blend morphology using
solvent mixtures. Future advances will rely
on new nanocrystals, such as cadmium
telluride tetrapods, that have the potential
to enhance light absorption and further
improve charge transport.
Gains can also be made by incorporating
application-specific organic components,
including electroactive surfactants which
control the physical and electronic
interactions between nanocrystals and
polymer.
Organic solar cells belong to the so-called
third generation of solar cells and are still
in the developmental stage. The world
record for purely organic solar cells, a type
in which both components of the
photoactive layer consist of organic
materials, is currently at 7 percent for
layers created through wet chemical
methods. Organic solar cells have many
advantages over the conventional silicon
cells typically used for large-scale energy
production: Not only are they are
considerably thinner and more flexible,
they are also less expensive and quicker to
produce. They are thus better suited for
powering everyday devices and systems
which are not in constant use, such as
sensors or electrical appliances. In the long
run, organic solar cells could drastically
reduce our dependence on batteries and
cables.
IV.NANOTECHNOLOGY IN
SOLAR POWER GENERATION
1.ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS:

3.QUANTUM DOT POLYMER

HYBRIDS GREATLY IMPROVE THE
EFFICIENCY OF ORGANIC SOLAR
CELLS
It is one of the methods for treating
the surface of nanoparticles which greatly
improves the efficiency of organic solar
cells. The researchers were able to attain
an efficiency of 2 percent by using so-
called quantum dots composed of
cadmium selenide. The photoactive layer
of hybrid solar cells consists of a mixture
of inorganic nanoparticles and an organic
polymer. As it is theoretically possible to The zero energy buildings are buildings
apply the method developed by the which can produce their own electricity
researchers to many nanoparticles, this and make use of it without any external
breakthrough opens up new potential for energy consumption There are many
increasing the efficiency of this type of
solar cell even further. advantages in the ZEBs, but also one
serious disadvantage is that the ZEB
requires the solar panels for the full roof.
But by the application of nanotechnology
the CNT is made as an antenna which is
utilized for the concentration of solar
energy makes the reduction of the usage of
solar panels for larger area. Hence the
required panel area is very less for the
Funneling Solar Technology.
2.CARBON NANOTUBES:
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have high
electron conductivity, high thermal
conductivity, robustness, and are flexible
by nature. Field emission displays (FED),
strain sensors, field effect transistor (FET)
have been demonstrated. Each application
shows the potential of CNT for nanoscale
devices and for flexible electronics
applications. Photovoltaic applications
have also been explored for this novel
material. Mainly, CNT have been utilized
as either the photo-induced exciton carrier
transport medium impurity within a
polymer-based photovoltaic layer or as the
photoactive (photon-electron conversion)
layer. The metallic CNT is preferred for
the former application, while
semiconducting CNT is preferred for the
later.
3.CNT AS EFFICIENT CARRIER
TRANSPORT MEDIUM:
To increase the photovoltaic
efficiency, electron accepting
impurities must be added within the
photoactive region. Thus, by
incorporating CNT within the
polymer, dissociation of the exciton
pair can be accomplished by the
CNT matrix. The high surface area
(~1600 m2/g) of CNT offers a
tremendous opportunity for exciton
dissociation. The separated carriers
within the polymer-CNT matrix are
transported by the percolation
pathways of adjacent CNTs,
providing the means for high carrier
mobility and efficient charge
transfer. The factors of performance
of CNT-polymer hybrid
photovoltaic are low compared to
inorganic photovoltaic. SWNT in
P3OT semiconductor polymer
demonstrated open circuit voltage
(Voc) is under 0.94 V, with short
circuit current (Isc) of 0.12 mA/cm2.
Metal nanoparticles may be applied
to the exterior of CNT to increase
the exciton separation efficiency.
The metal provides a higher electric
field at the CNT-polymer interface,
hence accelerating the exciton
carriers to be more
effectivelytransferred to the CNT
matrix. In this case, Voc is 0.3396
V, with Isc to be 5.88 mA/cm2. The
fill factor is 0.3876%, with the white
light conversion factor being
0.775%., demonstrated open circuit
voltage (Voc) is under 0.94 V, with
short circuit current (Isc) of 0.12
mA/cm2. Metal nanoparticles may
be applied to the exterior of CNT to
increase the exciton separation
efficiency. The metal provides a
higher electric field at the CNT-
polymer interface, hence
accelerating the exciton carriers to
be more effectively transferred to
the CNT matrix. In this case, Voc is
0.3396 V, with Isc to be 5.88
mA/cm2. The fill factor is 0.3876%,
with the white light conversion
factor being 0.775%.
V. FUNNELING SOLAR
TECHNOLOGY
The antenna consists of a fibrous rope
about 10 micrometers (millionths of a
meter) long and four micrometers thick,
containing about 30 million carbon
nanotubes. It has been built, for the first
time, a fiber made of two layers of
nanotubes with different electrical
properties -- specifically, different band
gaps.
ADVANTAGES OF FUNNELING
SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
 Area of solar panels required is
less.
 Solar energy is concentrated 100
times more than that for normal
panels.
 Better Utilization of solar energy.
 Efficiency is high.
 Less economical.
VI . HYPER SOLAR
TECHNOLOGY
Solar cells are the most expensive
part of solar panels. Current state-of-the-
art solar cell technology can only convert a
fraction of the sunlight received into
electricity. This inefficiency requires solar
panel manufacturers to use a sizable
number of expensive solar cells to deliver
a substantial amount of electricity.
HyperSolar is developing a breakthrough
technology to magnify the power of the
Sun to significantly increase the power
output of solar cells.
HyperSolar has invented the world’s first
thin and flat solar concentrator for direct
placement on top of existing solar cells.
Based on innovative microphotonics and
low cost manufacturing processes,
HyperSolar is developing a thin, flat,
optical layer that can inexpensively collect
and deliver substantially more sunlight
onto solar cells. This allows solar cells to
produce multiple times more power.
VII. INNOVATIVE PHOTONICS
HyperSolar’s patent-pending technology is
based on four primary innovations:
Micro Concentrators – A matrix of small
and highly efficient solar concentrators are
used to collect sunlight throughout the day
from a wide range of angles without
requiring mechanisms to track the sun.
Photonics Light Routing – An innovative
solid-state photonics network underneath
the Micro Concentrators transports light
from points of collection at the top, to
points of concentrated output at the
bottom. This results in a very thin layer.
Photonics Light Separation – Innovative
techniques are employed in the photonics
network to separate the collected sunlight
into different spectrum ranges, where they
can be routed to different output points at
the bottom where different types of solar
cells may be placed.
Photonics Thermal Management – Solar
cells can only convert a part of the solar
spectrum into electricity. The unused
portion turns into heat, which actually
degrades the performance of the solar cell.
HyperSolar’s technology filters out the
unused solar spectrum to deliver maximum
useful solar energy to the solar cell and
avoid overheating.
A REVOLUTIONARY TOP
LAYER
With HyperSolar as the top layer,
manufacturers can use significantly fewer
solar cells in the production of solar
panels, thereby dramatically reducing the
cost per watt of electricity. We believe this
is a revolutionary way to make solar
panels.
VIII . DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR
CELLS
A Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC,
DSC or DYSC) is a class of low-cost solar
cell belonging to the group of thin film
solar cells. It is based on a semiconductor
formed between a photo-sensitized anode
and an electrolyte; a photoelectrochemical
system. it is made of low-cost materials
and does not require elaborate apparatus to
manufacture, this cell is technically
attractive. Likewise, manufacture can be
significantly less expensive than older
solid-state cell designs. It can also be
engineered into flexible sheets and is
mechanically robust, requiring no
protection from minor events like hail or
tree strikes. Although its conversion
efficiency is less than the best thin-film
cells, in theory its price/performance ratio
(kWh/(m2·annum·dollar)) should be high
enough to allow them to compete with
fossil fuel electrical generation by
achieving grid parity.
Operation:
Sunlight enters the cell through the
transparent SnO2:F top contact, striking
the dye on the surface of the TiO2.
Photons striking the dye with enough
energy to be absorbed create an excited
state of the dye, from which an electron
can be "injected" directly into the
conduction band of the TiO2. From there it
moves by diffusion (as a result of an
electron concentration gradient) to the
clear anode on top.
Meanwhile, the dye molecule has lost an
electron and the molecule will decompose
if another electron is not provided. The
dye strips one from iodide in electrolyte
below the TiO2, oxidizing it into triiodide.
This reaction occurs quite quickly
compared to the time that it takes for the
injected electron to recombine with the
oxidized dye molecule, preventing this
recombination reaction that would
effectively short-circuit the solar cell. The
triiodide then recovers its missing electron
by mechanically diffusing to the bottom of
the cell, where the counter electrode re-
introduces the electrons after flowing
through the external circuit.
CONCLUSION
In this paper we have seen the
solar cells based on the organic
semiconductors have many advantages
over the inorganic semiconductor based
solar cells. We have also seen about the
Hybrid solar cells and the methods of
improving the efficiency of the Hybrid
solar cells. The Hybrid solar cells are very
advantageous that we have discussed. The
Future Power generation will be very
much effective due to the Funneling Solar
Technology with CNT antenna. Finally we
conclude that the combined effect of the
Hybrid solar cells and the Funneling Solar
Technology with CNT antenna will be
very much promising for the future Power
generation, technically as well as
economically. As for as the Hyper Solar
technology is concerned it is a
breakthrough offers a new approach to
significantly lower the cost per watt of
solar panels by inexpensively delivering
more sunlight to the expensive solar cells.
Then the Dye-sensitized solar cells are the
most efficient solar cells of the future
which use the recent advances in the
chemical technology.
REFERENCES:
[1] "Lunar Solar Power Generation" by
V.LALITH KUMAR
[2] Wikipedia: lunar solar power
[3] Institute of Space Systems Operations
(ISSO): Criswell - Publications and
Abstracts
[4] "Lunar resources utilization for space
construction" by General Dynamics:
describes building space power satellites
out of mostly lunar material..