Papers by Solar Compass Journal
Thin films of Ni:ZnO were successfully synthesized by sol-gel spin coating system for 0.5 % and 2... more Thin films of Ni:ZnO were successfully synthesized by sol-gel spin coating system for 0.5 % and 2.5 % Ni doping concentration on FTO coated substrate. The synthesized films were annealed at 540 • C for 4 h. The annealed thin films were characterized for its electrical, optical and chemical characteristics using UV-Vis, Micro Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively. The UV-Vis spectra analysis reveals that the energy band gap of deposited films found to be 3.58 eV and 3.51 eV for 0.5 % and 2.5 % Ni:ZnO thin films, respectively. Two significant characteristic peaks identified at 424 cm − 1 and 563 cm − 1 in Raman spectra. These peaks are attributed to E high 2 and LO (A 1 and E 1) modes, which confirms the hexagonal wurtzite phase of Ni:ZnO thin films. Furthermore, the absorption peaks observed at 530 cm − 1 and 635 cm − 1 in the FTIR spectra are attributed to the characteristic stretching vibrational modes of Zn-O and Ni-O bonds, respectively.
New solar energy generation is drastically needed as a source of clean electricity as the U.S. an... more New solar energy generation is drastically needed as a source of clean electricity as the U.S. and the globe make the transition away from fossil fuels. Yet, even as solar costs have dramatically declined, solar sources still provide less than 5% of global electricity. We examine issues in solar policy leading to this low adoption rate. Examining the variables of cost, baseload power and intermittency, and land use, we evaluate the tradeoffs among policy support for utility-scale, commercial and residential solar systems. We argue that utility-scale solar power makes far more sense if there is adequate grid integration, so that such installations can be placed in locations that minimize land use tradeoffs. By focusing policy support on a few large solar installations, governments can vastly increase the solar contribution to electricity generation.
This study proposes and utilizes a modified multi-objective particle swarm optimization (M-MOPSO)... more This study proposes and utilizes a modified multi-objective particle swarm optimization (M-MOPSO) algorithm for the optimal sizing of a solar-wind-battery hybrid renewable energy system for a rural community in Rivers State, Nigeria. Unlike previous studies that primarily focused on minimizing total economic cost (TEC) and total annual cost (TAC), this research emphasizes minimizing the loss of power supply probability (LPSP) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE). The M-MOPSO algorithm introduces a dynamic inertia weight, a unique repository update mechanism, and a dominance-based personal best update strategy, which collectively enhance its performance. Comparative analysis with PSO, NSGA-II, MOPSO and hybrid GA-PSO demonstrates that M-MOPSO consistently achieves a lower LPSP, although its LCOE remains higher. The M-MOPSO optimal configuration when simulated under various climatic scenarios was able to meet the energy needs of the community irrespective of ambient condition.
This work investigates the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of four solar – wind... more This work investigates the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of four solar – wind off grid hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) models to provide electrification for Okorobo-Ile town in Andoni Local Government Area of River State, Nigeria using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables (HOMER) software. In particular, investigation of the possible inclusion of a fuel cell (FC) system is performed. The four considered models are: pv/wind/battery (PWB); pv/wind/battery/gen-set (PWBG), pv/wind/fuel-cell (PWF) and pv/wind/battery/fuel-cell (PWBF). The best cost-effective configuration among the set of systems were examined for the electricity requirement of 677.75 kWh/day primary load with 99.1 kW peak load. Results obtained showed that the net present cost (NPC) are $615,664.95, $679,348.17, $778,834.22 and $3,534,850.54 respectively for the PWB, PWBG, PWBF and PWF. The cost of energy (COE) was lowest for the PWB with a value of $$0.158 and highest for the PWF with a value of $0.964. The renewable options—PWBF and PWF have higher long-term costs but offer cleaner emissions. In contrast, options with the Diesel-Powered Generator is cost-effective but has a high environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution. These emissions include 3,758 kg/yr CO2, 23.7 kg/yr CO and a total of 32.67 kg/yr of unburned hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. Based on the results, a stand - alone HRES that consist of 166 kW PV panels, 3 wind turbines 29 batteries and 123 kW converter is found to be the best configuration for the village, as it leads to minimum net present cost (NPC) and COE. The PWB system offers the best choice for the community by balancing financial considerations with sustainability which is crucial when making energy system choices. Results also show that while hydrogen, FC system and the electrolyzer can be used together with or without batteries, inclusion of the FC system resulted in the high NPC due to their high cost of investment.
In order to solve the potential safety hazards caused by the fluctuation of photovoltaic (PV) pow... more In order to solve the potential safety hazards caused by the fluctuation of photovoltaic (PV) power generation, it is necessary to predict it in advance and take countermeasures as soon as possible. Based on the three models of vanilla Transformer, Informer, and Autoformer, this paper considers three prediction scenarios: zero-cost prediction, low-cost prediction, and high-cost prediction, and realizes the power prediction under two prediction horizons of 4 h and 24 h for a matrix of a centralized PV power station in Hubei Province, China. The results of some configurations meet the industry-recommended metric requirements, and the overall performance of the vanilla Transformer is better than Informer and Autoformer. After comparing the three models and different prediction intervals, and considering the practical industrial demand, this paper gives recommended configurations for both 4 h and 24 h predictions. The practical rolling prediction performance of the recommended configurations demonstrates the applicability and flexibility of the proposed methods.
This scientific study examines the evaluation of photovoltaic power generation projects through t... more This scientific study examines the evaluation of photovoltaic power generation projects through the application of multi-criteria decision analysis methods. Two groups of large-scale grid-connected PV power generation system projects with a nominal power of 50 MW and 500 MW respectively were analyzed and evaluated. These systems were designed to be installed in the same wider geographical area in northern Greece, but they were differentiated in the part of the PV circuit. Twelve systems were analyzed in which either monocrystalline silicon panels or poly-crystalline silicon panels or bifacial photovoltaic panels were to be installed. In these systems either central photovoltaic inverters or photovoltaic string inverters were considered for installation. The following criteria were used to evaluate the investment in these projects. These criteria were related to the profitability, the financial cost, the technical level, and the electrical energy production of the systems and these were the initial investment cost, the operation and maintenance cost, the levelized cost of electricity, the net present value, the internal rate of return, the capital recovery or payback period, the technical level of the photovoltaic circuit, the technical maturity of the photovoltaic circuit, and the annual electricity production. The evaluation of these criteria was initially conducted with fixed weighting coefficients followed by a sensitivity analysis of these weighting coefficients. The results of the evaluation using the PROMETHEE, AHP and TOPSIS multi-criteria decision analysis methods showed that the PV power generation systems which should be preferred are those with increased nominal power, where monocrystalline silicon technology panels are employed following the central inverter topology.
High scalability and quick deployability of solar photovoltaic (PV) make it an ideal candidate fo... more High scalability and quick deployability of solar photovoltaic (PV) make it an ideal candidate for rapid decarbonization of electricity. The typical SPV generation profile and power grids designed for conventional power plants (PP) are the major obstacles to maximizing SPV utilization. While energy storage systems (ESS) are often deemed critical, scalable ESS are site-limited, highly dependent on rare-earth elements, and either have higher embodied energy and emissions or low round-trip efficiencies. This manuscript demonstrates that by strategically interconnecting SPV power plants longitudinally, PV can meet base load demands and extend availability beyond peak-solar hours, thereby reducing the need for ESS and replacing existing carbon-intensive electricity infrastructure. It is demonstrated by modelling two 12 GW longitudinally separated transmission lines interconnecting SPVPPs situated 40° (case-1) and 90° (case-2) apart can provide PV electricity beyond solar hours for 4.69 and 7.33 equivalent hours (daily average), respectively. For cases 1 and 2, the lithium battery-ESS route can result in 4.76 and 3.35 times more carbon emissions and cost 4.23 and 2.98 times more than the transmission route, respectively, for providing the same energy over the transmission line's 40-year lifespan. Technologies such as multi-terminal ultra-high-voltage-DC grids, hybrid superconductive cables, new semiconductor materials for PV and energy systems, etc. are explored for the globally interconnected solar grid. Findings suggest 90 TWp of PV capacity can supply a significant portion of world's energy demand by 2050. This study outlines a comprehensive approach to build a sustainable and interconnected global solar energy infrastructure that aligns with climate objectives.
Thermal power cycles using sCO2 as a working fluid place extreme demands on their turbomachinery ... more Thermal power cycles using sCO2 as a working fluid place extreme demands on their turbomachinery components and their electric motors/generators. In this paper, new system topologies for sCO2 turbomachinery are proposed which take advantage of “bearingless” electric machine technology to improve performance. Bearingless motors/generators are a new type of electric machine which integrate the functionality of active magnetic bearings into the existing hardware of an electric motor/generator. The existing electromagnetic surfaces and materials are reused to enable controllable production of radial forces on the machine shaft. This is envisioned to improve hermetic direct-drive turbomachinery systems by either augmenting existing bearings (i.e., bearing assist) or replacing existing bearings (i.e., bearing removal). The state-of-the-art technologies for several bearing types (gas foil bearings, externally pressurized porous (EPP) gas bearings, and active magnetic bearings) and electric machines are reviewed to motivate the introduction of bearingless technology. Two system designs using bearingless machines are proposed and compared against existing commercial solutions in terms of maximum shaft weight, number of passthroughs into the hermetic environment, cost, and complexity. A case-study bearingless motor/generator is assessed via simulations and a hardware prototype to investigate practical considerations for using bearingless technology in sCO2 turbomachinery. The proposed bearingless solutions have potential to enable a new generation of sCO2 turbomachinery with improved reliability, reduced complexity, and lower cost. This paper shows that by transforming the motor/generator already present in turbomachinery into a bearingless motor/generator, the technical challenges involved with sCO2 can be overcome without adding significant cost.
Solar still desalination (SD) offers a sustainable method for purifying contaminated water, despi... more Solar still desalination (SD) offers a sustainable method for purifying contaminated water, despite its productivity limitations. This study proposes an effective treatment process for culinary wastewater (CWW), multilayer-filtered culinary wastewater (MFCWW), and borewell water. We conducted a comprehensive experimental analysis comparing key SD characteristics, including evaporative heat transfer, efficiency, productivity, exergy, and water quality parameters, across these water sources. Our findings reveal that integrating multilayer filtration with CWW significantly improves efficiency, productivity, turbidity reduction, and hardness removal compared with untreated CWW. Notably, MFCWW has emerged as the most promising modification, demonstrating enhanced solar still performance over conventional SD processes. This study highlights the potential of combining multilayer filtration with solar desalination as an innovative approach to improve water purification outcomes, particularly for culinary wastewater treatment.
This investigation provides the design and optical analysis of an innovative solar beam-down conf... more This investigation provides the design and optical analysis of an innovative solar beam-down configuration, which can be a promising passive solution for indoor solar-based cooking, offering an eco-friendly and sustainable approach. The system uses a beam-down parabolic dish concentrator to concentrate the solar radiation onto a ground-mounted receiver module, which has a secondary optical module consisting of a secondary reflector-light pipe system. The receiver module is a well-insulated tank consisting of a receiver in contact with a primary heat transfer fluid. The thermal energy stored in the receiver module is transported via a secondary heat transfer fluid to and from the cooktop via a tube-in-tube arrangement, which induces a thermosyphon effect. A multi-variable optical analysis through an efficient ray tracing methodology has been adopted to identify optimal design values of optical components such as parabolic dish concentrators, secondary reflectors, and light pipe-receiver assemblies. The optimal optical design parameters and their corresponding ray trace analysis results are elaborated. It was found that the designed beam-down parabolic dish concentrator system provides an ideal thermal energy of 10.3 kWh per day at an average DNI of 650 W/m2. Further, this investigation provides a design for a beam-down parabolic dish concentrating system that may be used for efficient and sustainable solar energy
The operation of Distribution Networks (DNs) has been affected by the ongoing energy transition, ... more The operation of Distribution Networks (DNs) has been affected by the ongoing energy transition, gradually incorporating more Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), mainly Renewable Energy Sources (RES), as well as Energy Storage Systems (ESS) sustainably enhancing DN’s flexibility. In the case of the non-interconnected island of Ikaria, Greece, with high solar and wind potential, the DN includes conventional generators, Photovoltaic systems (PVs), wind farms and a hydro-pumped ESS. Scope of this study is to assess the possible impact of the PVs expansion considering either: i) fixed, ii) single-axis or iii) dual-axis tracking panels. For this purpose, CERTH’s in-house INTEMA.grid platform is used. Tracking mechanism’s effectiveness is studied considering that the expansion doubles or triples the rated power of the existing, fixed 0.4 MW PVs, following the directions of the Distribution System Operator (DSO). Additionally, a monthly analysis is presented, because Ikaria is an island with extremely higher load during summer months due to tourism. According to the results, if the current PV capacity is doubled or tripled, a dual-axis expansion yields 16.0% or 21.3% yearly production increase compared to fixed panels, respectively, with the single-axis effect though being much higher (14% or 18.7%, respectively) than the incremental effect of the second axis (further comparative 1.8% or 2.3%, respectively). The effectiveness of tracking mechanisms is highlighted during summer months and particularly early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Finally, environmental and economic indicators for the proposed installations are assessed.
In urban areas with limited space, harnessing renewable energy, especially solar energy, can be a... more In urban areas with limited space, harnessing renewable energy, especially solar energy, can be a challenge. However, we can overcome this obstacle by using building facades to generate energy. Buildings significantly contribute to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. They require energy for various processes, both electrical and thermal. To address this, we can use photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems, which can simultaneously produce electrical and thermal energies. By circulating a working fluid within the system, the surface temperatures of PV panels can be reduced, improving electrical efficiency. Integrating PV/T systems into building facades, known as building-integrated PV/T (BIPV/T) systems, enables efficient energy production and enhances the overall energy consumption of buildings.
The use of energy-efficient technologies tends to reduce the overall energy use of a country and ... more The use of energy-efficient technologies tends to reduce the overall energy use of a country and foster the energy transition pathways. However, a change in energy can occur either due to a change in activity effect, intensity effect, or structural effect. The objective of the study is firstly to examine and measure the magnitude of change in energy use and identify the factor responsible for the change in energy use in the selected sectors. Secondly, the paper aims to analyze the impact of the Norwegian economy on the three effects of energy use. The study contributes significantly to identifying the sector that experiences a reduction in energy use due to energy efficiency and examining the impact of the economy on energy use. The overall energy use between 1990 and 2017 is decomposed into three different effects for selected energy-intensive sectors by deploying the 'Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index' (LMDI) method. Further, the impact of the Norwegian economy is examined on the three effects of energy use. It is observed that in each Phase, the key driver for change in energy use in all three Phases is the transport sector. Post-recession, the energy use in the transport sector was due to structural effects. Consumer behavior and limitations of sources of finance are the challenges for the deployment of electric vehicles even after technological breakthroughs in energy efficiency. Finally, the policies to enhance energy efficiency in energy-intensive sectors, such as the transport, and services sector must be undertaken to efficiently visualize energy efficiency-driven energy transition. as an option to reduce environmental impacts in the public transportation system [11].
Two-step thermochemical fuel production cycles powered using concentrating solar systems offer a ... more Two-step thermochemical fuel production cycles powered using concentrating solar systems offer a route to convert solar energy to chemical fuels. In this work, we offer a critical assessment of the state of the art, a detailed technical analysis of this technology in terms of theoretical limitations and potential performance, and potential paths forward in the development of these processes. The state of the art for demonstrated reactor systems is analyzed using key performance indicators including energy efficiency, feedstock conversion extent, power output, and volumetric power density. The technical analysis first looks into the theoretical limitations on the cycles' process conditions and the role of the redox material. This is followed by a detailed thermodynamic analysis of the state-of-the-art CeO 2-based cycle, based on fixed bed mixed flow reactors, which closely represent the reactor designs used in demonstrations. Finally, a scale-up analysis is performed for the CeO 2-based cycle. The results from the theoretical analysis agree well with trends seen in experimental demonstrations of the concept. From the analysis, the low power density of the CeO 2-based cycle is highlighted as a critical design limitation that will seriously restrict further scale-up of this technology. We share perspective on this and other issues, and offer some outlook for future development.
Solar compass, Feb 1, 2024
The modern era of photovoltaics (PV) really started with the "Bell Telephone Discovery&a... more The modern era of photovoltaics (PV) really started with the "Bell Telephone Discovery" that was announced in 1954. This marked reaching levels of PV conversion efficiencies in the 6 % range that was considered a turning-point for application purposes. Most of the pioneers of that era have passed away. In late 2022, our PV community lost one of its more ardent backers and a scientist who not only helped usher in the important Bell Discovery as part of that team, but also led the first PV commercial efforts at Hoffman Electronics that resulted in the PVpowering of the first solar satellite, Vanguard I. This space-event marked the first major market for this technology-and provided some of the first proof-of-concepts that led to the current amazing PV electricity reality here on earth. This is to remember that true PV pioneer-Dr. Morton B. Prince. Dr. Prince's career and PV interests spanned more than 7 decades-during which he had leadership roles in research, technology development, commercialization, and government decision making. He certainly interacted with, enhanced, and influenced the careers and work of many of the PV "movers and shakers" that have brought this technology to its beyond-TW levels today worldwide. Even recently, Mort kept interest in PV progress. In the past couple years (in his mid-90s!), he even marveled at the progress of the perovskite technologies-noting that PV has always demonstrated its ability to provide new tipping points toward the next generations of devices through its incredible PV research foundations and talents. These foundations based some of its origins in his own works at Bell Telephone Laboratories and Hoffman Electronics. Mort always noted that he was surrounded by many talented scientists and engineers (Eugene Ralph, Martin Wolf, Peter Iles, Bernd Ross, Hans Rauchenbach-and certainly that Bell Trio of Pearson, Chapin, and Fuller) that helped launch his own distinguished career. Mort Prince has been underrecognized for his contributions to our solar technologies. He was a humble person, despite his recognized status on the international research and development levels. He was an eminent scientist, technical leader, and an ardent ambassador for PV's future. It is a future that he helped to found and nurture. Mort Prince was a professional, a member of the IEEE (Fellow), APS, ASES, and ISES. While at Bell Labs, Mort presented one of the first technical conference papers on the operation and performance of the Bell cell at the pioneering World Conference on Solar Energy in Phoenix, Arizona, in October-November 1955. The International Solar Energy Society and the American Solar Energy Society trace their origins to this first world solar technical meeting and exhibit. Some recollections Mort Prince's early career are included with the photo anthology at the end of this paper. It is noted that most of these images were provided to the author by Mort. A synopsis of Mort's pioneering PV publications and patents is also provided.
Solar Compass, Feb 29, 2024
The efficiency of solar energy farms requires detailed analytics and information on each inverter... more The efficiency of solar energy farms requires detailed analytics and information on each inverter regarding voltage, current, temperature, and power. Monitoring inverters from a solar energy farm was shown to minimize the cost of maintenance, increase production and help optimize the performance of the inverters under various conditions. Machine learning algorithms are techniques to analyze data, classify and predict variables according to historic values and combination of different variables. The 140 kWp photovoltaic plant contains 300 modules of 255 W and 294 modules of 250 W with smart monitoring devices. In total the inverters are of type SMA Tripower of 25 kW and 10 kW. The 590 kWp photovoltaic plant contains 1312 Trina solar 450 W modules. In total the four inverters are SMA Sunny Tripower type of 110-60 CORE 2 with rated power of 440 kW were analyzed and several supervised learning algorithms were applied, and the accuracy was determined. The facility enables networked data and a machine learning algorithm for fault classification and monitoring was developed, energy efficiency was calculated and solutions to increase energy production and monitoring were developed for better reliability of components according to the monitorization and optimization of inverters.
Solar Compass, Nov 30, 2023
During the last period, solar energy gained a lot of attraction and is expected to be the replace... more During the last period, solar energy gained a lot of attraction and is expected to be the replacement for nonrenewable energy due to its great potential and advantages, one of these advantages is that solar energy is scalable, which means it can be used on an industrial scale or lesser, another advantage is that solar energy is a clean source, this means it causes no pollution to the environment, in addition, solar energy is the future, as its cost is going down and non-renewable energy is becoming more and more expensive. This project aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the performance of bifacial and monofacial solar panels under diverse conditions. The investigation involves examining the influence of varying albedo levels and the type of surface beneath the PV panels, including sand, white paint, black asphalt, or artificial grass. The renowned software tool PVsyst will be employed to simulate and analyze PV systems. The location selected for this study is An-Najah National University in Nablus, Palestine. The PV panels will be oriented towards the true south, and a tilt angle of 28will be employed. Through meticulous simulations and thorough analysis, this research seeks to provide comprehensive insights into the contrasting performance characteristics of bifacial and monofacial solar panels across different environmental contexts. The ultimate objective is to contribute valuable knowledge regarding the suitability and optimal utilization of these PV technologies. The study aims to evaluate and compare the electrical output, energy yield, and overall performance of bifacial and monofacial solar panels under different scenarios. The project will analyze factors such as the energy gain achieved by the bifacial panels due to rear-side irradiance reflection, the impact of albedo on the performance of bifacial panels, and the influence of shading on both panel types.
Solar Compass
The results of an innovative membrane distillation system paired with an efficient and robust sol... more The results of an innovative membrane distillation system paired with an efficient and robust solar water collector that provides drinking water with high quality and a low rejection rate, independent of the salinity of the water source, are presented in this study. We then optimized and characterized the direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) experiment in a pilot plant. For the experimental tests, brackish water was used for the experimental tests, which had a salinity varying from 1 g to 20 g/l of salt. The results showed that the permeate flux increased as the temperature and feed rate increased. To evaluate the experimental and numerical records of the mathematical model of the membrane distillation unit an instance of the validation system that has been provided to evaluate the credibility of the received numerical version of the membrane distillation unit, a PC simulation software primarily based totally on the worldwide version of the unit is simulated via C++ software program to clear up the version of sun irradiation and all temperatures at the magazine productiveness of the membrane distillation unit. It was proven by means of this study that the worldwide mathematical model of the unit is capable of predicting, as it should, the tendencies of the thermal function of the membrane distillation unit.
Solar Compass
Around 300,000 women around the world die every year due to complications during pregnancy and ch... more Around 300,000 women around the world die every year due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth. An estimated 19.9 million children do not receive critical vaccinations putting them at serious risk of potentially fatal diseases. These risks and deaths are preventable with appropriate management and care. Access to healthcare in low resource settings requires a comprehensive approach that strengthens infrastructure, systems, and medical and human resources. The lack of access to energy within infrastructure strengthening dramatically contributes to the immense healthcare challenge faced by developing countries. Electricity is essential for access to health services, as essential as the healthcare center, human resources, equipment, medicines etc. Universal Health Coverage cannot be achieved without energy access in healthcare facilities.
Solar Compass
In this study, we investigated a scenario where the prediction technology for the total output of... more In this study, we investigated a scenario where the prediction technology for the total output of distributed photovoltaic power generation over a wide area could be more efficiently disseminated by sharing the costs with society, rather than burdening only specific companies with the costs. To achieve this goal, we not only focused on measuring the amount of solar radiation but also incorporated additional parameters into the solar radiation sensor, which is essential for improving the accuracy of the prediction technology. The fundamental configuration of the developed sensor consists of an organic thin film solar cell (OPV), and the output is utilized to transmit the output data externally. Utilizing the surplus power from the OPV, we examined and produced three types of sensors: 1) a sensor with a CO2 measurement function, 2) a sensor with a mist spray function, and 3) a sensor with a photography function using a drive recorder. As a result, all sensors met the predetermined functions and target specifications.
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Papers by Solar Compass Journal