Pub Date : 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114214
Yanhe Zhu , Wenjing Xiong , Huan Liu , Yedi Zhou , Shibin Li
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) fabricated via thermal evaporation have attracted considerable interest owing to their potential for scalable fabrication and enhanced compatibility with textured silicon bottom cells in tandem devices. While post-deposition annealing is crucial for achieving high-quality perovskite films with superior crystallinity, reduced defect density, and improved stability, the precise optimization of annealing parameters remains critical for improving the photovoltaic power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability of the devices. In this study, we fabricate inverted PSCs using a hybrid thermal evaporation-solution method and systematically investigate the effects of annealing temperature and time during gradient annealing on the properties of MA0.47FA0.53Pb(Br0.26I0.74)3 perovskite films and device performance. The results demonstrate that optimal annealing temperature and time effectively promote complete reaction between the organic salts and lead iodide (PbI2), yielding dense, uniform films with high orientation and crystallinity. This optimized annealing process simultaneously reduces defect density, inhibits non-radiative recombination, and enhances charge carrier transport, thereby boosting device efficiency. The champion device achieved a PCE of 18.83 % under the optimal annealing conditions of 150 °C for 10 min.
{"title":"Effects of annealing on film and device performance of thermally evaporated inverted perovskite solar cells","authors":"Yanhe Zhu , Wenjing Xiong , Huan Liu , Yedi Zhou , Shibin Li","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114214","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114214","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) fabricated via thermal evaporation have attracted considerable interest owing to their potential for scalable fabrication and enhanced compatibility with textured silicon bottom cells in tandem devices. While post-deposition annealing is crucial for achieving high-quality perovskite films with superior crystallinity, reduced defect density, and improved stability, the precise optimization of annealing parameters remains critical for improving the photovoltaic power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability of the devices. In this study, we fabricate inverted PSCs using a hybrid thermal evaporation-solution method and systematically investigate the effects of annealing temperature and time during gradient annealing on the properties of MA<sub>0.47</sub>FA<sub>0.53</sub>Pb(Br<sub>0.26</sub>I<sub>0.74</sub>)<sub>3</sub> perovskite films and device performance. The results demonstrate that optimal annealing temperature and time effectively promote complete reaction between the organic salts and lead iodide (PbI<sub>2</sub>), yielding dense, uniform films with high orientation and crystallinity. This optimized annealing process simultaneously reduces defect density, inhibits non-radiative recombination, and enhances charge carrier transport, thereby boosting device efficiency. The champion device achieved a PCE of 18.83 % under the optimal annealing conditions of 150 °C for 10 min.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 114214"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114204
José R. Angulo , Arturo Berastain , Luis A. Conde , Alejandro Carhuavilca , Vlada Pleshcheva , Jesus Montes-Romero , Michael A. García , Victoria Campos-Falcon , Alberto Montoya , Wildor Gosgot , Edgar Coaquira , Pedro Puma , Erick Alfaro , Rafael J. Vidal , Norman J. Beltran , Luis Chirinos , Miguel Cataño , Reynaldo Condori , Ernesto Palo-Tejada , Miguel Barrena , Jan A. Töfflinger
Latin American cities face challenges in designing and maintaining distributed photovoltaics (PV), with limited multi-year, cross-climate evidence to guide procurement and policy. We present a three-year outdoor evaluation of 1.5 kWp grid-connected PV systems based on Passivated Emitter Rear Cell (PERC), Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin Layer (HIT), and Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) modules installed in five Peruvian cities: Lima (coastal desert), Chachapoyas (tropical montane forest), Arequipa (arid highlands), Tacna (hot desert), and Juliaca (high-altitude Andes). Monitoring followed IEC-61724–1 at one-minute resolution, delivering reference, array, and final yields, capture and system losses, and performance ratio (PR). Diagnostics included electroluminescence (EL) and infrared (IR) thermography.
Across all climates, system losses were low and stable (∼0.14–0.31 kWh/kWp/day), highlighting capture losses as the main performance differentiator. HIT modules achieved the most consistent results (PR ≈ 0.83–0.87), sustaining high yields in humid and high-irradiance sites. PERC modules performed reliably in humid/temperate climates but underperformed in arid highlands, where EL/IR revealed early degradation and hotspot formation. CIGS modules remained stable only in the dry desert of Tacna (PR ≈ 0.81); in humid or thermally variable climates, accelerated degradation likely linked to moisture ingress and shading stress reduced PR to ≤ 0.72.
The dataset demonstrates how harmonized monitoring and diagnostics can inform technology–climate suitability, O&M standards, and procurement strategies. Results support climate-class specifications—prioritizing HIT in humid/coastal and high-altitude cities, enforcing acceptance tests for PERC in moderate climates, and restricting CIGS to arid sites—thus strengthening reliability assessment and performance-based planning for distributed PV.
{"title":"Yield and performance analysis of PERC, HIT, and CIGS photovoltaic systems in five Peruvian city-climates","authors":"José R. Angulo , Arturo Berastain , Luis A. Conde , Alejandro Carhuavilca , Vlada Pleshcheva , Jesus Montes-Romero , Michael A. García , Victoria Campos-Falcon , Alberto Montoya , Wildor Gosgot , Edgar Coaquira , Pedro Puma , Erick Alfaro , Rafael J. Vidal , Norman J. Beltran , Luis Chirinos , Miguel Cataño , Reynaldo Condori , Ernesto Palo-Tejada , Miguel Barrena , Jan A. Töfflinger","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114204","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114204","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Latin American cities face challenges in designing and maintaining distributed photovoltaics (PV), with limited multi-year, cross-climate evidence to guide procurement and policy. We present a three-year outdoor evaluation of 1.5 kWp grid-connected PV systems based on Passivated Emitter Rear Cell (PERC), Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin Layer (HIT), and Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) modules installed in five Peruvian cities: Lima (coastal desert), Chachapoyas (tropical montane forest), Arequipa (arid highlands), Tacna (hot desert), and Juliaca (high-altitude Andes). Monitoring followed IEC-61724–1 at one-minute resolution, delivering reference, array, and final yields, capture and system losses, and performance ratio (<em>PR</em>). Diagnostics included electroluminescence (EL) and infrared (IR) thermography.</div><div>Across all climates, system losses were low and stable (∼0.14–0.31 kWh/kWp/day), highlighting capture losses as the main performance differentiator. HIT modules achieved the most consistent results (<em>PR</em> ≈ 0.83–0.87), sustaining high yields in humid and high-irradiance sites. PERC modules performed reliably in humid/temperate climates but underperformed in arid highlands, where EL/IR revealed early degradation and hotspot formation. CIGS modules remained stable only in the dry desert of Tacna (<em>PR</em> ≈ 0.81); in humid or thermally variable climates, accelerated degradation likely linked to moisture ingress and shading stress reduced <em>PR</em> to ≤ 0.72.</div><div>The dataset demonstrates how harmonized monitoring and diagnostics can inform technology–climate suitability, O&M standards, and procurement strategies. Results support climate-class specifications—prioritizing HIT in humid/coastal and high-altitude cities, enforcing acceptance tests for PERC in moderate climates, and restricting CIGS to arid sites—thus strengthening reliability assessment and performance-based planning for distributed PV.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 114204"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114191
Kamal Nayel , Abdulrahman Almerbati
This study numerically investigates the thermal and hydraulic performances of a novel double–layered volumetric solar receiver (VSR) using silicon carbide (SiC) foam. In contrast to prior studies that mainly investigated the ceramic foam without preserving a constant total solid volume in double–layered configuration, the present work proposes a constrained optimization approach in which the solid volume of a uniform single layer foam is optimally redistributed into a double–layered configuration while maintaining the total solid volume constant. This approach ensures a fair comparison among different receiver configurations and systematically explores both parallel and counter flow schemes relative to the incident concentrated solar radiation direction which have not been addressed in the literature. Using the volume–averaged approach, P1 approximation and local thermal non–equilibrium (LTNE) models, the temperature distributions within the solid and fluid phases were simulated. The results reveals that the double–layered configuration can significantly boost overall efficiency from approximately 56 % to over 84 %. The optimal design with a graded porosity configuration of (ϕ1 = 0.90, ϕ2 = 0.70) under the counter flow scheme achieved a peak efficiency of 84.86 % with a maximum outflow temperature of 833.1 K, demonstrating a substantial enhancement in thermal performance.
{"title":"Thermal–hydraulic performance enhancement of graded double–layered volumetric solar air receiver under parallel and counter flow schemes","authors":"Kamal Nayel , Abdulrahman Almerbati","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114191","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114191","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study numerically investigates the thermal and hydraulic performances of a novel double–layered volumetric solar receiver (VSR) using silicon carbide (SiC) foam. In contrast to prior studies that mainly investigated the ceramic foam without preserving a constant total solid volume in double–layered configuration, the present work proposes a constrained optimization approach in which the solid volume of a uniform single layer foam is optimally redistributed into a double–layered configuration while maintaining the total solid volume constant. This approach ensures a fair comparison among different receiver configurations and systematically explores both parallel and counter flow schemes relative to the incident concentrated solar radiation direction which have not been addressed in the literature. Using the volume–averaged approach, P1 approximation and local thermal non–equilibrium (LTNE) models, the temperature distributions within the solid and fluid phases were simulated. The results reveals that the double–layered configuration can significantly boost overall efficiency from approximately 56 % to over 84 %. The optimal design with a graded porosity configuration of (<em>ϕ</em><sub>1</sub> = 0.90, <em>ϕ</em><sub>2</sub> = 0.70) under the counter flow scheme achieved a peak efficiency of 84.86 % with a maximum outflow temperature of 833.1 K, demonstrating a substantial enhancement in thermal performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 114191"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114203
Gang Guo , Yongcheng Chen , Gencai Guo , Ping Li
Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have become a research hotspot in photovoltaic field because of their remarkable photoelectric properties. However, the rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers imposes a critical constraint on the optoelectronic efficiency. In this study, a type-II heterostructure consisting of Janus Ga2SeTe (Janus-Ga2SeTe) monolayer and AlAs monolayer with a double layer hexagonal structure (DLHS-AlAs) is systematically designed to enable efficient spatial separation of photogenerated carriers, ultimately enhancing optoelectronic performance as demonstrated by first-principles calculations. Our calculations indicate that Janus-Ga2SeTe/DLHS-AlAs heterostructure displays excellent stability and semiconducting character, showing a moderate bandgap and a distinct type-II band arrangement. It exhibits high visible-light absorption and water-splitting-compatible band alignment. Moreover, the system achieves notable solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency (26.64 %) and power conversion efficiency (18.75 %). Continuous bandgap control (0.67–1.75 eV) and reversible type-I/II switching are achieved via biaxial strain. Meanwhile, strain regulation (−2% to 2 %) optimizes light absorption while maintaining band positions suitable for water splitting, yielding a maximum STH efficiency of 36.06 % at 2 % strain. These results emphasize the material’s dual applicability in photocatalytic water splitting and solar cells.
{"title":"Type-II Ga2SeTe/AlAs heterostructure: excellent optoelectronic properties for photocatalytic water splitting and solar cells","authors":"Gang Guo , Yongcheng Chen , Gencai Guo , Ping Li","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114203","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114203","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have become a research hotspot in photovoltaic field because of their remarkable photoelectric properties. However, the rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers imposes a critical constraint on the optoelectronic efficiency. In this study, a type-II heterostructure consisting of Janus Ga<sub>2</sub>SeTe (Janus-Ga<sub>2</sub>SeTe) monolayer and AlAs monolayer with a double layer hexagonal structure (DLHS-AlAs) is systematically designed to enable efficient spatial separation of photogenerated carriers, ultimately enhancing optoelectronic performance as demonstrated by first-principles calculations. Our calculations indicate that Janus-Ga<sub>2</sub>SeTe/DLHS-AlAs heterostructure displays excellent stability and semiconducting character, showing a moderate bandgap and a distinct type-II band arrangement. It exhibits high visible-light absorption and water-splitting-compatible band alignment. Moreover, the system achieves notable solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency (26.64 %) and power conversion efficiency (18.75 %). Continuous bandgap control (0.67–1.75 eV) and reversible type-I/II switching are achieved via biaxial strain. Meanwhile, strain regulation (−2% to 2 %) optimizes light absorption while maintaining band positions suitable for water splitting, yielding a maximum STH efficiency of 36.06 % at 2 % strain. These results emphasize the material’s dual applicability in photocatalytic water splitting and solar cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 114203"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114187
Sara Bham, Gabriel Chesnoiu, Benoit Gschwind, Yehia Eissa, Philippe Blanc
Accurate prediction of downwelling and upwelling surface solar irradiance for various plane orientations is crucial for several solar energy applications, particularly bifacial photovoltaic systems and the architectural design of energy-efficient buildings. In this study, a fast and physical model providing downwelling and upwelling surface solar irradiance under clear skies on any tilted plane is developed and validated, entitled McClear_Radiance. This new model is inspired by the McClear clear sky model, which utilizes reference look-up tables established using the radiative transfer code libRadtran and atmospheric variables from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service to estimate global, beam, and diffuse irradiance on a horizontal plane. McClear_Radiance uses look-up tables of sky radiance matched to atmospheric conditions extracted from output variables of McClear. The resulting sky radiances are complemented by a detailed angular representation of surface optical properties based on the Ross-Li Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function for non-Lambertian surfaces. McClear_Radiance is approximately 200 times faster than radiative transfer computations. Validations against high-quality pyranometric measurements from the Plataforma Solar de Almería in Spain demonstrate strong agreement. The downwelling global tilted irradiance, for planes with tilt angles from 20° to 45° oriented south or southwest, showed bias and root mean square error values from +1 to +2 % and 2 to 3 %, respectively, relative to the mean reference. A correlation coefficient of 0.998 was obtained. The diffuse tilted irradiance exhibited respective values of +13 to +18 %, 26 to 30 %, and 0.867 to 0.881. These results are comparable to the widely used All-Weather Model of Perez et al.
{"title":"McClear_Radiance physical model for estimating clear sky downwelling and upwelling solar irradiance on tilted surfaces","authors":"Sara Bham, Gabriel Chesnoiu, Benoit Gschwind, Yehia Eissa, Philippe Blanc","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114187","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114187","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate prediction of downwelling and upwelling surface solar irradiance for various plane orientations is crucial for several solar energy applications, particularly bifacial photovoltaic systems and the architectural design of energy-efficient buildings. In this study, a fast and physical model providing downwelling and upwelling surface solar irradiance under clear skies on any tilted plane is developed and validated, entitled McClear_Radiance. This new model is inspired by the McClear clear sky model, which utilizes reference look-up tables established using the radiative transfer code libRadtran and atmospheric variables from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service to estimate global, beam, and diffuse irradiance on a horizontal plane. McClear_Radiance uses look-up tables of sky radiance matched to atmospheric conditions extracted from output variables of McClear. The resulting sky radiances are complemented by a detailed angular representation of surface optical properties based on the Ross-Li Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function for non-Lambertian surfaces. McClear_Radiance is approximately 200 times faster than radiative transfer computations. Validations against high-quality pyranometric measurements from the Plataforma Solar de Almería in Spain demonstrate strong agreement. The downwelling global tilted irradiance, for planes with tilt angles from 20° to 45° oriented south or southwest, showed bias and root mean square error values from +1 to +2 % and 2 to 3 %, respectively, relative to the mean reference. A correlation coefficient of 0.998 was obtained. The diffuse tilted irradiance exhibited respective values of +13 to +18 %, 26 to 30 %, and 0.867 to 0.881. These results are comparable to the widely used All-Weather Model of Perez et al.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 114187"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114185
Mo Tian , Kolappan Chidambaranathan , Md Zubair Ebne Rafique , Neel Desai , Jing Bai , Randy Brost , Daniel Small , David Novick , Julius Yellowhair , Yu Yao
On a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) field, optical errors have significant impacts on the collection efficiency of heliostats. Fast, cost-effective, labor-efficient, and non-intrusive autonomous field inspection remains a challenge. Approaches using imaging drone, i.e., Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system integrated with high resolution visible imaging sensors, have been developed to address these challenges; however, these approaches are often limited by insufficient imaging contrast. Here we report a polarimetry-based method with a polarization imaging system integrated on UAV to enhance imaging contrast for in-situ detection of heliostat mirrors without interrupting field operation. We developed an optical model for skylight polarization pattern to simulate the polarization images of heliostat mirrors and obtained optimized waypoints for polarimetric imaging drone flight path to capture images with enhanced contrast. The polarimetric imaging-based method improved the success rate of edge detections in scenarios which were challenging for mirror edge detection with conventional imaging sensors. We have performed field tests to achieve significantly enhanced heliostat edge detection success rate and investigate the feasibility of integrating polarimetric imaging method with existing imaging-based heliostat inspection methods, i.e., Polarimetric Imaging Heliostat Inspection Method (PIHIM). Our preliminary field test results suggest that the PIHIM hold the promise to enable sufficient imaging contrast for real-time autonomous imaging and detection of heliostat field, thus suitable for non-interruptive fast CSP field inspection during its operation.
{"title":"Heliostat optical error inspection with polarimetric imaging drone","authors":"Mo Tian , Kolappan Chidambaranathan , Md Zubair Ebne Rafique , Neel Desai , Jing Bai , Randy Brost , Daniel Small , David Novick , Julius Yellowhair , Yu Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114185","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114185","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>On a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) field, optical errors have significant impacts on the collection efficiency of heliostats. Fast, cost-effective, labor-efficient, and non-intrusive autonomous field inspection remains a challenge. Approaches using imaging drone, i.e., Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system integrated with high resolution visible imaging sensors, have been developed to address these challenges; however, these approaches are often limited by insufficient imaging contrast. Here we report a polarimetry-based method with a polarization imaging system integrated on UAV to enhance imaging contrast for in-situ detection of heliostat mirrors without interrupting field operation. We developed an optical model for skylight polarization pattern to simulate the polarization images of heliostat mirrors and obtained optimized waypoints for polarimetric imaging drone flight path to capture images with enhanced contrast. The polarimetric imaging-based method improved the success rate of edge detections in scenarios which were challenging for mirror edge detection with conventional imaging sensors. We have performed field tests to achieve significantly enhanced heliostat edge detection success rate and investigate the feasibility of integrating polarimetric imaging method with existing imaging-based heliostat inspection methods, i.e., Polarimetric Imaging Heliostat Inspection Method (PIHIM). Our preliminary field test results suggest that the PIHIM hold the promise to enable sufficient imaging contrast for real-time autonomous imaging and detection of heliostat field, thus suitable for non-interruptive fast CSP field inspection during its operation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 114185"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114208
Qiyun Wang , Shuqi Dai , Cheng Gong , Zipei Wan , Ling-Ling Wang , Kejun Dong , Liang Xu
Optimal photocatalytic performance in solar water splitting systems requires meticulous regulation of both charge carrier separation dynamics and interfacial charge transfer kinetics, we computationally demonstrate that the Janus SiS/SeWS vdW heterostructure exhibits ideal characteristics for both processes. This structure aims to enhance photocatalytic performance through synergistic bandgap alignment and dipole electric field effects. The heterostructure exhibits exceptional stability (thermodynamic, dynamic, and mechanical) with a low lattice mismatch (2.8 %), ensuring experimental feasibility. The observed Type II band alignment features CBM/VBM localization on distinct material components (S p-orbitals/W d-orbitals), promoting charge separation. The structure is dominated by the dipole electric field generated by the Janus structure, achieving highly efficient electron-hole separation and an ultra-high electron mobility (3837.44 cm2/Vs). Its free energy calculations indicate the possibility of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under acidic photochemical conditions (ΔG ≈ 0.09 eV) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under neutral conditions, achieving a solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 24.32 %. This performance significantly surpasses the 10 % feasibility benchmark adopted for practical economic applications. This work underscores the critical role of synergistic band engineering and dipole electric field in designing high-performance Janus heterostructures for solar energy conversion.
在太阳能水分解系统中，最佳的光催化性能需要对载流子分离动力学和界面电荷转移动力学进行细致的调节，我们通过计算证明，Janus si /SeWS vdW异质结构在这两个过程中都表现出理想的特性。该结构旨在通过协同带隙排列和偶极子电场效应增强光催化性能。异质结构表现出优异的稳定性（热力学、动力学和力学），晶格失配率低（2.8%），确保了实验的可行性。观察到的II型波段对准在不同的材料组分（S p轨道/W d轨道）上具有CBM/VBM定位，促进了电荷分离。该结构以Janus结构产生的偶极子电场为主导，实现了高效的电子空穴分离和超高的电子迁移率（3837.44 cm2/Vs）。其自由能计算表明，在酸性光化学条件下（ΔG≈0.09 eV）可发生析氢反应（HER），在中性条件下可发生析氧反应（OER），太阳能制氢效率可达24.32%。这一性能大大超过了实际经济应用中采用的10%可行性基准。这项工作强调了协同带工程和偶极电场在设计高性能Janus异质结构用于太阳能转换中的关键作用。
{"title":"Janus SiS/SeWS heterostructure for efficient solar-driven water splitting","authors":"Qiyun Wang , Shuqi Dai , Cheng Gong , Zipei Wan , Ling-Ling Wang , Kejun Dong , Liang Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114208","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114208","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Optimal photocatalytic performance in solar water splitting systems requires meticulous regulation of both charge carrier separation dynamics and interfacial charge transfer kinetics, we computationally demonstrate that the Janus SiS/SeWS vdW heterostructure exhibits ideal characteristics for both processes. This structure aims to enhance photocatalytic performance through synergistic bandgap alignment and dipole electric field effects. The heterostructure exhibits exceptional stability (thermodynamic, dynamic, and mechanical) with a low lattice mismatch (2.8 %), ensuring experimental feasibility. The observed Type II band alignment features CBM/VBM localization on distinct material components (S p-orbitals/W d-orbitals), promoting charge separation. The structure is dominated by the dipole electric field generated by the Janus structure, achieving highly efficient electron-hole separation and an ultra-high electron mobility (3837.44 cm<sup>2</sup>/Vs). Its free energy calculations indicate the possibility of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under acidic photochemical conditions (ΔG ≈ 0.09 eV) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under neutral conditions, achieving a solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 24.32 %. This performance significantly surpasses the 10 % feasibility benchmark adopted for practical economic applications. This work underscores the critical role of synergistic band engineering and dipole electric field in designing high-performance Janus heterostructures for solar energy conversion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 114208"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114194
Alex Brenner , Tobias Hirsch , Marc Röger , Jana Stengler , Robert Pitz-Paal
The absence of flow measurements in the loop of a parabolic trough solar field makes it impossible to easily determine flow for the purpose of calculating the performance of a loop. This proof-of-concept study uses the temperature signals of the heat transfer fluid, measured at the parabolic trough collectors to determine the runtime of a temperature signal and thus, to infer the runtime of the fluid. It is not dependent on additional measurement instrumentation and only requires data analysis using the available measurement equipment. The approach can be applied to existing parabolic trough loops at nearly no additional cost and could also be used in other pipe flows in process engineering applications. The method is validated in a realistic application scenario with data from the parabolic trough power plant Andasol-3 and shows a mean absolute percentage error of 6.15 % compared to the measured subfield mass flow.
{"title":"Volumetric flow determination in parabolic trough plants using the time offset of temperature gradients","authors":"Alex Brenner , Tobias Hirsch , Marc Röger , Jana Stengler , Robert Pitz-Paal","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114194","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114194","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The absence of flow measurements in the loop of a parabolic trough solar field makes it impossible to easily determine flow for the purpose of calculating the performance of a loop. This proof-of-concept study uses the temperature signals of the heat transfer fluid, measured at the parabolic trough collectors to determine the runtime of a temperature signal and thus, to infer the runtime of the fluid. It is not dependent on additional measurement instrumentation and only requires data analysis using the available measurement equipment. The approach can be applied to existing parabolic trough loops at nearly no additional cost and could also be used in other pipe flows in process engineering applications. The method is validated in a realistic application scenario with data from the parabolic trough power plant Andasol-3 and shows a mean absolute percentage error of 6.15 % compared to the measured subfield mass flow.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 114194"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.114160
Haiwei Cui, Kangwen Sun, Jian Gao, Tong Zou, Huafei Du
To meet the demands for weight reduction and shape flexibility, lightweight photovoltaic (PV) modules replace traditional glass covers with flexible materials. This modification may increase the risk of stress-induced cracking during manufacturing, but the relevant theoretical analysis is limited. To investigate this issue, we developed a simplified 2-dimensional model and a detailed 3-dimensional model of novel ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)-encapsulated PV modules. The 3D model faithfully captures the misalignment between Cu-interconnects and cell edges in actual modules, while the 2D model does not. This oversight in 2D model leads to significant discrepancies in stress predictions, which become increasingly pronounced as cell thickness decreases. Notably, the deviation reaches 16.8 % at 100 µm cell thickness, highlighting the necessity of 3D modeling for thinner solar cells. Based on parametric analysis and experimental validation, the stress evolution and influencing mechanisms are clarified. These findings enable the proposal of concrete optimization strategies to reduce cell damage and improve module power output: use thicker cells, reduce interconnect width, and lower the cooling temperature.
{"title":"Accuracy of 2D vs. 3D modeling for stress assessment in thin lightweight PV modules","authors":"Haiwei Cui, Kangwen Sun, Jian Gao, Tong Zou, Huafei Du","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114160","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To meet the demands for weight reduction and shape flexibility, lightweight photovoltaic (PV) modules replace traditional glass covers with flexible materials. This modification may increase the risk of stress-induced cracking during manufacturing, but the relevant theoretical analysis is limited. To investigate this issue, we developed a simplified 2-dimensional model and a detailed 3-dimensional model of novel ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)-encapsulated PV modules. The 3D model faithfully captures the misalignment between Cu-interconnects and cell edges in actual modules, while the 2D model does not. This oversight in 2D model leads to significant discrepancies in stress predictions, which become increasingly pronounced as cell thickness decreases. Notably, the deviation reaches 16.8 % at 100 µm cell thickness, highlighting the necessity of 3D modeling for thinner solar cells. Based on parametric analysis and experimental validation, the stress evolution and influencing mechanisms are clarified. These findings enable the proposal of concrete optimization strategies to reduce cell damage and improve module power output: use thicker cells, reduce interconnect width, and lower the cooling temperature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 114160"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Copper magnesium tin sulfide, Cu2MgSnS4 (CMTS), is a highly promising material for solar energy conversion owing to its earth-abundant composition, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. Different nanomaterials, i.e., fullerene C60, graphene, and TiO2/graphene nanocomposite are investigated as electron transport layers (ETLs) on CMTS-based solar cells, considering that the use of the conventional CdS compound poses environmental and optical challenges. A comprehensive numerical simulation study was performed using wxAMPS-1D to optimize the key design parameters of the cell, namely the thickness and doping concentration of the absorber region as well as the electron and hole transport layers. The impact of absorber deep-level defects, temperature, and back-contact modifications on the overall device performance was carefully taken into account. By employing TiO2/graphene nanocomposite as an ETL yields the highest output parameters of the cell. On the other hand, C60-based devices demonstrate an enhanced stability in presence of defects whereas devices based on graphene exhibit a limited performance due to the material structural properties and narrow bandgap. A sensitivity analysis reveals that the absorber thickness is the dominant factor while the defect density strongly degrades the performance and the doping concentration has only a limited impact. These findings highlight the crucial role of nanotechnology in advancing next-generation solar cells and enhancing their contribution to sustainable energy systems.
{"title":"Performance evaluation of graphene, C60, and TiO2/graphene ETLs for Cu2MgSnS4 solar cells","authors":"Nadia Mahsar , Beddiaf Zaidi , Lakhdar Dehimi , Fortunato Pezzimenti","doi":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114189","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solener.2025.114189","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Copper magnesium tin sulfide, Cu<sub>2</sub>MgSnS<sub>4</sub> (CMTS), is a highly promising material for solar energy conversion owing to its earth-abundant composition, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. Different nanomaterials, i.e., fullerene C60, graphene, and TiO<sub>2</sub>/graphene nanocomposite are investigated as electron transport layers (ETLs) on CMTS-based solar cells, considering that the use of the conventional CdS compound poses environmental and optical challenges. A comprehensive numerical simulation study was performed using wxAMPS-1D to optimize the key design parameters of the cell, namely the thickness and doping concentration of the absorber region as well as the electron and hole transport layers. The impact of absorber deep-level defects, temperature, and back-contact modifications on the overall device performance was carefully taken into account. By employing TiO<sub>2</sub>/graphene nanocomposite as an ETL yields the highest output parameters of the cell. On the other hand, C60-based devices demonstrate an enhanced stability in presence of defects whereas devices based on graphene exhibit a limited performance due to the material structural properties and narrow bandgap. A sensitivity analysis reveals that the absorber thickness is the dominant factor while the defect density strongly degrades the performance and the doping concentration has only a limited impact. These findings highlight the crucial role of nanotechnology in advancing next-generation solar cells and enhancing their contribution to sustainable energy systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":428,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy","volume":"304 ","pages":"Article 114189"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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