Modelling and outdoor performance characterization of monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules

This paper presents the modeling and outdoor performance of monocrystalline silicon (m-Si) and polycrystalline silicon (p-Si) Photovoltaic (PV) modules. The I – V and P – V characteristics curves obtained by simulation and from outdoor experiments, were used to extract electrical parameters such as open-circuit voltage, short circuit current, maximum current, and maximum voltage. Parameters acquired were further used to compute the maximum power output, fill factor, and conversion efficiency of PV modules. The simulation results obtained were in agreement with the manufacturer’s datasheet value while experimental results showed a slight deviation from Standard Test Condition (STC) values. The effects of solar irradiance, module temperature, quality, and series resistance on the performance of PV modules were considered. It was observed that as solar irradiance increased the performance of PV modules improved, whereas the increase of other parameters such as module temperature, series resistance, and diode ideality factor declined the performance of PV modules.@font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;

Natural dyes for solar cell application: uv-visible spectra and outdoor photovoltaic performance

This research article published by Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 2014Successful conversion of visible light into electrical output was achieved by using four locally available natural dyes as wide band gap semiconductor sensitizers in Dye-sensitized solar cells. Natural dyes extracted from Java plum (Syzigium cumin), Red cabbage (Brassica oleracea), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower, and Begonia rex leaves were employed as light-absorbing dyes anchored to nanostructured mesoporous TiO2 film photo anode. Simple procedures were employed in extracting natural dyes. The dye extracts were stored for four months prior to UV-vis spectra and photoelectrical measurements. The absorption spectra analyses for all extracts carried out in the wavelength range 350 to 800 nm, showed a wide and significant absorption spectrum in UV and visible regions. Photovoltaic parameters such as short-circuit current (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF), power output (Pm), and energy conversion efficiency (η) were determined for the four dyes. Conversion efficiencies obtained from Java plum, Red cabbage; Hibiscus flower and Begonia rex were 0.098, 0.051, 081, and 0.094%, respectively. Efficiency of fabricated cells and cell characteristics were found to correlate with absorption spectra of dyes