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Project

Physics based energy yield modelling of thin-film photovoltaics

Solar energy accounts for 60% of the predicted growth in renewables in the next 5 years. Various research institutes have developed energy yield prediction models to accurately estimate the fluctuating power output of a crystalline Silicon (c-Si) PV. State of the art energy yield models for Silicon PV are available from various research organizations like Sandia Laboratories IMEC, TNO and NREL. These yield prediction models have given the c-Si PV a greater push in the market. Whereas thin-film photovoltaics are relatively new to the market and do not have an energy yield model to promote its cause. A lot of thin-film technologies are being researched out of which CIGS and Perovskites are promising candidates to compete with c-Si PV. With their ability to be fabricated on a flexible substrate, they have opened a new area of applications in integrated photovoltaics. These cells can be used in combination with each other in tandem configuration to increase the efficiency and thereby the yield. This research project aims to develop a physics-based energy yield model for thin-film photovoltaics. Challenges in building an energy yield model for thin-film technology is to model the uncertainty in their performance and to develop characterization methods to support the model. An accurate energy yield model for thin-film technology would help improve its reliability and marketability.

Date:16 Oct 2019 →  16 Oct 2023
Keywords:Thin-Film PV, Energy yield Modelling, Integrated Photovoltaics, Renewable energy, Perovskites modelling, Tandem PV modelling, CIGS modelling
Disciplines:Solar energy, Modelling and simulation
Project type:PhD project