Solar Cell Technology Selection for a PV Leaf Based on Energy and Sustainability Indicators—A Case of a Multilayered Solar Photovoltaic Tree

Abstract

Harnessing energy from the sunlight using solar photovoltaic trees (SPVTs) has become popular at present as they reduce land footprint and offer numerous complimentary services that offset infrastructure. The SPVT’s complimentary services are noticeable in many ways, e.g., electric vehicle charging stations, landscaping, passenger shelters, onsite energy generated security poles, etc. Although the SPVT offers numerous benefits and services, its deployment is relatively slower due to the challenges it suffers. The most difficult challenges include the structure design, the photovoltaic (PV) cell technology selection for a leaf, and uncertainty in performance due to weather parameter variations. This paper aims to provide the most practical solution supported by the performance prioritization approach (PPA) framework for a typical multilayered SPVT. The proposed PPA framework considers the energy and sustainability indicators and helps in reporting the performance of a multilayered SPVT, with the aim of selecting an efficient PV leaf design. A three-layered SPVT (3-L SPVT) is simulated; moreover, the degradation-influenced lifetime energy performance and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were evaluated for three different PV-cell technologies, namely crystalline silicon (c-Si), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), and cadmium telluride (CdTe). While evaluating the performance of the 3-L SPVT, the power conversion efficiency, thermal regulation, degradation rate, and lifecycle carbon emissions were considered. The results of the 3-L SPVT were analyzed thoroughly, and it was found that in the early years, the c-Si PV leaves give better energy yields. However, when degradation and other influencing weather parameters were considered over its lifetime, the SPVT with c-Si leaves showed a lowered energy yield. Overall, the lifetime energy and CO2 emission results indicate that the CdTe PV leaf outperforms due to its lower degradation rate compared to c-Si and CIGS. On the other side, the benefits associated with CdTe cells, such as flexible and ultrathin glass structure as well as low-cost manufacturing, make them the best acceptable PV leaf for SPVT design. Through this investigation, we present the selection of suitable solar cell technology for a PV leaf.

Comparison of the Efficiency of Polycrystalline and Thin-Film Photovoltaic Outdoors

“…The short-circuit current fluctuates non -linearly with irradiation and has a minor variation with temperature depending on the temperature coefficient. According to several prediction methods, the photocurrent's fluctuations with irradiation and temperature are similar to those of the short-circuit current [16], [17].…”

An Innovative Concept for 3D Sand-Printed Sustainable Refugee Shelters in a Sandy Desert in a Hot and Dry Climate

“…In refugee camps which are planned according to sustainable construction principles, the method of obtaining energy used during their operation cannot be overlooked either. The use of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics falls under the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), i.e., "ensuring affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all" [12]. Therefore, in sustainable social construction, obtaining as much energy as possible from renewable sources is an absolute priority.…”

Performance of solar panels at various depths in stationary water

“…Due to land disputes between photovoltaic installations and development from other sectors such as agriculture, it has become difficult for PV power generation projects to find suitable terrestrial sites (Kumar and JayannaKanchikere, 2018;Ajitha et al, 2019). As one way of resolving this problem, scholars have explored water-based photovoltaic (WPVS) such as floating solar PV panels that can be mounted on top of unexploited water surface or bodies and submerged solar panels which can be lowered in water but still generate power (Kumar et al, 2020).…”