Broadening the Thin-Film Horizon: Opto-­electrical modelling of a monolithic Perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cell

The need for more efficient, cheaper, easily producible solar cells is growing as this combination of attributes can decrease the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). A two­terminal (2T) Perovskite and galliuminidium­gallium­selenide (Pvk/CIGS) tandem cell is an excellent candidate, as it can have a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of +30%, can be...

Optimisation of a-Si:H/μc-Si:H Tandem Solar Cell on Flexible Al Substrates: Use of Modelling for Cell Design and Performance Predictions

The future of our energy supply cannot continue to depend on the use of exhaustible fossil fuels. The successful transition to a society powered by renewable energy sources is one of the major challenges our current generation faces. Renewable systems will only fully establish themselves if high conversion efficiencies can be obtained at a...

Dynamic Modelling of a solar-based power system for off-grid horticultural projects

With the rise of population, the world energy demands are increasing. This implies a greater pressure on the horticulture industry to increase its production, thus requiring a high energy intensive setup. Thus, sustainable energy sources will play a crucial part in the transition towards sustainability and reducing the carbon emissions in the...

Development of Cell to System Annual Energy Yield Toolbox for Bifacial Modules

Accurate Annual Energy Yield (AEY) predictions can mean important savings due to optimization of energy generation for both particular and utility scale PV systems. <br/>However, currently available commercial models fall short to faithfully reproduce complex designs, specially involving bifacial modules, where albedo gains are relevant. <br/...

Small Scale Methanol Production: Process modelling and design of an autonomous, renewable container sized methanol plant

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris in 2015, ambitious goals for the worldwide CO2 emissions were set. To achieve these goals, a huge reduction in CO2 emissions must be realized. For the energy market, the current aim is to use renewable electricity instead of fossil fuels. However, there are multiple sectors where...

Modelling optical properties of layers for thin-films silicon solar cells

In the research on solar cells, accurate characterization techniques are of great importance. In this work a specific technique is studied that makes use of transmitted and reflected light from a thin layer. The material properties of transparent conductive oxides (TCOs), silicon and nanoparticles are extracted by fitting a mathematical model on...