Photovoltaic Materials
Ahmed Albalbisi
University of South Florida
Abstract
Solar energy is one of the most used energy sources that all living things depend upon. Man has been able to capture some of the sun’s energy and uses it for cooking, heating and to power everyday appliances. Solar energy technologies have come a long way. Solar cells, commonly referred to as photovoltaic cells, transform the solar energy into electrical energy. Owing that solar energy is renewable and could be the most dependable source of electricity, it is worthwhile to drive the production costs further down to enable growth in the photovoltaic manufacturing sector. Research in the solar cell manufacturing field indicates that influences
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In converting solar enagy to electrical energy for use, Solar cells commonly known as photovoltaic cells are used. Technology innovations in the solar photovoltaics is anticipated to significantly reduced the cost of energy across the globe (Kalkman et al, 2015). This paper will look to investigate and research on prospective production practices and innovations that will help to drive down expenditure involved in the production of photovoltaic materials.
In the past four decades, there have been numerous strides made in the photovoltaic enagy field which has seen has seen the emergence of PV as a viable source of renewable energy. One significant development is the progressive reduction in the unit cost of photovoltaic cells made from silicon. For instance, an analysis of the cost in dollars per watt of Crystalline Silicon from 1977 indicates that the cost has been declining steadily. In 1977, the cost in dollars per watt ($IW) over $76, in the year 2000, it stood at $5 and surprisingly, in 2015 it was at a low of $0.30 (Kalkman et al, 2015). Due to the decline in cost per unit watt, photovoltaic energy production has reached grid-parity in 40 countries of thereabout. In it projected that by the end of this year, it would have attained grid-parity in more than half of the countries of the world (Balfour Shaw, 2011).
Albeit the cost of c-Si cells has become very affordable, its low cost has made it hard for other equally viable
For this proposal, I interviewed the Surrey Salvation Army Thrift Store manager, Narmada Indrasiri. My goal was to discover whether the store raises enough money to help its rehabilitation program through donations. My interview consisted of questions such as (1) Do you get enough donations to fulfil store target? (2) Approximately how many donations you get per day? (3) Are all the donations in good condition to resell? (4) if not, what are the difficulties you have been facing? (5) How much money spend on the garbage pickup truck?
Currently solar power is beginning to expand horizontally throughout communities. This growth is creating a demand that is beginning to reduce the expense of purchasing and installing solar panels. The concept is catching on and the technology is improving as the demand increases.
Every year, especially around the March Madness basketball tournament, the same question arises: should college athletes be compensated for the time they put into their sport? Supporters state the compensation of student-athletes is necessary in today’s system of college athletics. However, others argue payment of collegiate athletes should not become mandatory and is unnecessary. Therefore, some believe student athletes should be financially compensated for their efforts because they are not benefiting from their hard work, but others already consider college athletes to be be paid because they are compensated in forms other than money.
By reading the criminal Victimization, 2014 article it was a little surprising that there is not a lot of change comparer to what we actually see in the news today. I wasn’t aware that at some point men were more victimized then women. Now a day’s we tent to see more women maybe because we feel the need to share it more freely then men.
Solar cell or photovoltaic (PV) systems usually transformed energy from the sun in to electric current. It can be measured in terms of ‘‘conversion efficiency’’, the proportion of solar energy transformed to electricity. (Henderson, Conkling, & Roberts, 2007) Sunpower primarily focused on the production of solar cell. But by moving in to wafer manufacturing it soon incorporated in to manufacturing of solar power module units. In general Sunpower manufacturing process needed approximately two times as many steps as the usual solar manufacturing process need and many of these steps were distinctive to Sunpower. Sunpower has nearly 15 -20 established cell manufactures, a handful of silicon – based cell manufacturing upstarts and a number of thin film solar companies offering potentially unsettling technologies.
Solar energy is constantly improving, whether that be financially or more efficiently. As a result, solar panels, a large focus in solar technology, are becoming less expensive. The price of producing panels has decreased dramatically. However, a popular belief is that solar energy is more expensive than fossil fuels. A recent Arabia
Solar energy is constantly improving, whether that be financially or more efficiently. As a result, solar panels, a large focus in solar technology, are becoming less expensive. The price of producing panels has decreased dramatically. However, a popular belief is that solar energy is more expensive than fossil fuels. A recent Arabia
With American population expected to increase by approximately fifty percent over the next fifty years, some sort of energy reform is needed (Lehrman 2). The most commonly proposed idea is for America to stop relying so heavily on fossil fuels, and to turn its focus onto renewable sources of energy, such as solar power and hydroelectricity (Energy Information Administration). If the United States could realize the benefits of renewable energy, then much of the world’s energy problems could be solved.
New developments in solar technology are also shaping the energy landscape. Current solar technology is composed of crystalline silicon. Silicon is “doped” with either phosphorus to make N-Type Silicon or boron to make P-Type Silicon. The two materials are stacked on top of each other, and are immediately attracted to each other because they are oppositely charged. They create an electric field between themselves, called the P-N Junction (Gleue). Sunlight is transmitted to Earth in the form of photons that disrupt the crystal structure of the two layers and free an electron. The P-N Junction carries the electrons through a wire to power machines. Currently this process if only 18% efficient because only 2/3 of photons contain enough energy to free electrons in the solar cell. New developments aim to capture energy from a wider range of the Sun’s electromagnetic spectrum. Scientists in the Middle East want to vertically mount solar panels to prevent dust-buildup that reduces efficiency. Furthermore, scientists in California are working on developing compounds that are more efficient conductors.
As world population continues to rise and economic development drives energy consumption upward, the necessity of energy diversification will intensify. Obvious concerns for fossil fuels, such as their inherent finitude and the pollution costs, only further accentuate the need for adoption of non-fossil fuel energy sources. In the renewable energy market solar energy is an increasingly popular option. Over the past 15 years, falling prices and increasing efficiency have resulted in a 20% increase in solar energy production; furthermore, as the Sun provides enough radiant energy to Earth each day to power society for year, the potential for solar development is markedly high but requires substantial development (National Geographic 2014). Solar energy production often takes two general forms: for residential power production, the photo-voltaic cell panel (hereafter PV) is the dominant mode; for commercial production, solar energy is converted to thermal energy and harnessed via turbine. Regardless of implementation, the primary obstacles of solar energy adoption are geographic space and high costs; otherwise, solar energy is a remarkably adaptable technology that can be deployed nearly worldwide despite differences in climate (National Geographic 2014). For the purposes of this research report, the focus will revolve around PV
Cengiz, Mehmet Sait, and Mehmet Salih Mamis. "Price-efficiency relationship for photovoltaic systems on a global basis." International Journal of Photoenergy, 2015. Academic OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=nm_p_elportal&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA462299574&it=r&asid=39562ca2d41af456d426bf2d6a8f04bd. Accessed 20 Nov. 2017.
Solar photovoltaic cells are catogorized into three generational groups. First generation cells are made from crystalline silicon, expensive to construct, and offer little flexibility. Second generation cells are made from amorphous (non-crystalline) silicon, cheaper to make than crystalline, offer some flexibility, yet still utilize rare and often toxic materials. Consequently, the maturation of the build process for 1st and 2nd generation
The solar industry has been riding a roller coaster over the past decade. Beginning with stratospheric poly-silicon prices and growing demand, the industry first hit a period of robust governmental subsidies, and market and investor hype. Typically, one might have expected an era of growth and stability to follow. Instead, the industry was beset by the financial crisis, the elimination of feed-in tariffs and other subsidies by governments seeking to marshal resources or avoid defaults during the European debt crisis, cheap natural gas, the much-maligned inexpensive Chinese imports of solar panels, a plummeting price of poly-silicon and a steady drumbeat of bankruptcies seeking to re-set long term
Abstract: The current energy situation with fossil fuels as the main source of the world’s energy has two main flaws: fossil fuels contribute to global warming via the greenhouse effect and they are limited in the quantity that remains. Solar power solves both of these problems and can be captured by utilizing photovoltaic cells. However, photovoltaic cells have their own drawbacks due to their high costs of installation and maintenance.
In addition, solar energy operational costs are manageable. It is free from monthly charges compared to conventional sources of energy. Solar energy does not require raw materials such as oil and coal, and once the panels are built, there will be no monthly charges. In addition, the prices of fossil fuels are increasing day by day, and this means conventional energy will be very expensive. Solar energy will remain the most capable world’s future power supply because, it is cost effective once the plants are built, and there will be no transport costs like for conventional energy sources. Therefore, solar energy is cost-effective, and will help in future energy supply, as the maintenance cost is affordable, as long as they are installed properly, and are working efficiently ( Hans, 2012). Furthermore, with the improvement and advancement of technology, it will increase its efficiency, and cost of production thus, making it more cost effective and the world’s best