Solar energy, using photovoltaics

Most of the chapters in the third section are concerned with photovoltaic (PV) applications (conversion of light into electrical energy). Because of the diffuse nature of solar energy, the photovoltaic collection devices must be very large or else the light that strikes them must be concentrated. The first chapter in this section gives an overview of luminescent solar concentrators that can be used with the PV collectors. Most PV collectors or modules are multilayered systems containing a photovoltaic cell element. The next four chapters consider the use of various plastics as encapsulant or pottant materials in the PV modules. [Pg.2]

An alternative to wind energy is the use of solar energy as photovoltaic (PV) energy for the production of H2 from water or for the co-electrolysis of CO2 and water. The cost of H2 produced from water using PV is stiU too high today (2.8-4 /kg) and this would prevent large-scale exploitation. But the electricity cost produced via PV is estimated to decrease, in the near future, to quite acceptable levels for exploitation in electrolytic processes on a large scale. [Pg.519]

CONVERSION OF SOLAR ENERGY USING TANDEM PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS MADE FROM MULTI-ELEMENT SEMICONDUCTORS... [Pg.157]

Wong WY, Ho CL (2010) Organometallic photovoltaics a new and versatile approach for harvesting solar energy using conjugated polymetallaynes. Acc Chem Res 43 1246-1256... [Pg.253]

Selenium is also used in thin-film photovoltaic cells (qv) which contain copper indium diselenide [12018-95-0] CuInSe2. Use is quite small as of 1996. However, if the United States solar energy output with such cells were to increase by 100 MW/yr, this would require 8 t of selenium aimuaHy (see... [Pg.338]

Unlike solar thermal systems or PV concentrator systems, the PV flat plate systems work well in cloudy locations because these latter convert diffuse as well as direct sunlight to electricity. On an aimualized basis, the energy produced by a photovoltaic array varies by only about 25% from an average value for the contiguous 48 states of the United States. As a result, it is practical to use photovoltaic systems in normally cloudy locations such as Seattle or northern Maine. [Pg.236]

The understanding of the electronic properties of nanostructures is one of the most rapidly advancing areas in science. This has two major implications first, it will lead to the construction of nanocircuitiy and nanocomputers that will use considerably less power than current computers while being faster and smaller and second, it will lead to increasing efficiency and decreasing cost of photovoltaic power conversion ( solar energy ). [Pg.812]

It is interesting to discuss in slightly more detail the case of solar versus biomass. The issue here is the amount of energy to be produced per unit time and unit surface area for the two cases. The important conclusion is drawn when one considers the efficiency of surface area use photovoltaics. The rate of biomass growth is too slow. Figure 1.8 illustrates these differences. [Pg.12]

Scientific interest in nanocarbon hybrid materials to enhance the properties of photocatalysts and photoactive electrodes has been growing rapidly [1-8]. The worldwide effort to find new efficient and sustainable solutions to use renewable energy sources has pushed the need to develop new and/or improved materials able to capture and convert solar energy, for example in advanced dye-sensitized solar cells - DSSC (where the need to improve the photovoltaic performance has caused interest in using nanocarbons for a better cell design [9,10]) or in advanced cells for producing solar fuels [11-13]. [Pg.429]

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