Investigating Various Permutations of Copper Iodide/FeCu Tandem Materials as Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with a Natural Dye

Comprehensive review of environmental factors influencing the performance of photovoltaic panels: Concern over emissions at various phases throughout the lifecycle

Recently, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has shown tremendous growth among all renewable energy sectors. The attractiveness of a PV system depends deeply of the module and it is primarily determined by its performance. The quantity of electricity and power generated by a PV cell is contingent upon a number of parameters that can be intrinsic to the PV system itself, external or environmental. Thus, to improve the PV panel performance and lifetime, it is crucial to recognize the main parameters that directly influence the module during its operational lifetime. Among these parameters there are numerous factors that positively impact a PV system including the temperature of the solar panel, humidity, wind speed, amount of light, altitude and barometric pressure. On the other hand, the module can be exposed to simultaneous environmental stresses such as dust accumulation, shading and pollution factors. All these factors can gradually decrease the performance of the PV panel. This review not only provides the factors impacting PV panel's performance but also discusses the degradation and failure parameters that can usually affect the PV technology. The major points include: 1) Total quantity of energy extracted from a photovoltaic module is impacted on a daily, quarterly, seasonal, and yearly scale by the amount of dust formed on the surface of the module. 2) Climatic conditions as high temperatures and relative humidity affect the operation of solar cells by more than 70% and lead to a considerable decrease in solar cells efficiency. 3) The PV module current can be affected by soft shading while the voltage does not vary. In the case of hard shadowing, the performance of the photovoltaic module is determined by whether some or all of the cells of the module are shaded. 4) Compared to more traditional forms of energy production, PV systems offer a significant number of advantages to the environment. Nevertheless, these systems can procure greenhouse gas emissions, especially during the production stages. In conclusion, this study underlines the importance of considering multiple parameters while evaluating the performance of photovoltaic modules. Environmental factors can have a major impact on the performance of a PV system. It is critical to consider these factors, as well as intrinsic and other intermediate factors, to optimize the performance of solar energy systems. In addition, continuous monitoring and maintenance of PV systems is essential to ensure maximum efficiency and performance.

Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Fabrication Using Methanol Extract of Onion Peel as a Natural Sensitizer

Methanol extracts of onion peel waste (Allium cepa) were applied as natural sensitizer in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) fabrication. This research investigated the dye characteristics of onion peel extract and its power conversion efficiency. Onion peel extraction was carried out using unacidified methanol extract (UME) and acidified methanol extract (AME). Dye absorption was characterized by UV-Vis Spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 200-800 nm and FT-IR at a wave number of 4000-500 cm-1. The power conversion efficiency of the fabricated DSSC was determined by calculating the voltage and current generated by the multimeter. The red onion peel extracts, both acidified and unacidified methanol, had maximum absorption at UV-Visible range (457, 659 and 662 nm). Onion peel extract has several functional groups such as –OH, C=O, C-O-C, C=C, and C-H aromatics- showing specific absorption corresponding to the anthocyanin structure. A solar energy conversion efficiency of η= 0.0413% was obtained from UME extract with a short circuit current of up to Jsc=0.6031 mAcm-2 and a fill factor of 0.2764.

Review of Photovoltaic Power and Aquaculture in Desert

PV (photovoltaic) capacity is steadily increasing every year, and the rate of increase is also increasing. A desert area with a large equipment installation area and abundant solar radiation is a good candidate. PV power plants installed in the desert have advantages in themselves, but when combined with desert aquacultures, additional benefits can be obtained while compensating for the shortcomings of the aquaculture industry. The importance of the aquaculture industry is increasing, with aquaculture products approaching half of the total supply of marine products due to sea environmental pollution and reduced resources. Moreover, in deserts, where marine products are difficult to obtain, aquaculture is a good way to save marine products. However, one of the many problems that complicate the introduction of aquaculture in the desert is that it is difficult to supply and demand electricity because the site is not near a viable electric grid. However, combination with PV can solve this problem. This paper investigates the solar power and aquaculture industry in the desert and explains the limitations and challenges of the solar power and aquaculture industry in the desert. Based on this, we hope to increase interest in the solar power and aquaculture industry in the desert and help with future research.

Effect of ZnO Nanomaterial and Red and Green Cabbage Dyes on the Performance of Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells

Visible light can be converted into electricity using dye sensitised solar cells (DSSCs), with their performance mainly based on the type of dye used as a sensitiser. Currently, dyes extracted from natural sources are highly preferred by researchers in this field. Natural dyes reduce the high cost of metal complex sensitisers and replace expensive processes of chemical synthesis with simple extraction processes. Natural dyes are environmentally friendly, abundant, easily extractable, and safe. Their application has become a promising development in DSSC technology. In this study, two natural dyes extracted from the plant leaves of green cabbage (GC) and red cabbage (RC) that were used as sensitisers. The performance characteristics of RC and GC extracts were investigated using both cyclic voltammetry and amperometry methods for solar cell detection. At an extraction temperature of 60 °C maintained for 8 h under optimum conditions, the measured values of maximum power (Pm), fill factor (FF), and efficiency (η) were 1.36 mW/cm2, 92.34%, and 0.161% for RC, and 0.349 mW/cm2, 44.19%, and 0.095% for GC, respectively. The RC and GC extracts exhibited excellent electrochemical performance with respect to current density potential and good cycling stability.

Environmental impacts of solar photovoltaic systems: A critical review of recent progress and future outlook

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are regarded as clean and sustainable sources of energy. Although the operation of PV systems exhibits minimal pollution during their lifetime, the probable environmental impacts of such systems from manufacturing until disposal cannot be ignored. The production of hazardous contaminates, water resources pollution, and emissions of air pollutants during the manufacturing process as well as the impact of PV installations on land use are important environmental factors to consider. The present study aims at developing a comprehensive analysis of all possible environmental challenges as well as presenting novel design proposals to mitigate and solve the aforementioned environmental problems. The emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) from various PV systems were also explored and compared with fossil fuel energy resources. The results revealed that the negative environmental impacts of PV systems could be substantially mitigated using optimized design, development of novel materials, minimize the use of hazardous materials, recycling whenever possible, and careful site selection. Such mitigation actions will reduce the emissions of GHG to the environment, decrease the accumulation of solid wastes, and preserve valuable water resources. The carbon footprint emission from PV systems was found to be in the range of 14-73 g CO₂-eq/kWh, which is 10 to 53 orders of magnitude lower than emission reported from the burning of oil (742 g CO₂-eq/kWh from oil). It was concluded that the carbon footprint of the PV system could be decreased further by one order of magnitude using novel manufacturing materials. Recycling solar cell materials can also contribute up to a 42% reduction in GHG emissions. The present study offers a valuable management strategy that can be used to improve the sustainability of PV manufacturing processes, improve its economic value, and mitigate its negative impacts on the environment.

Investigating algae for CO2 capture and accumulation and simultaneous production of biomass for biodiesel production

Carbon capture and sequestration technologies are used to reduce carbon emissions. Membranes, solvents, and adsorbents are the three major methods of CO₂ capture. One of the promising methods is the use of algae to absorb CO₂ from flue gases and convert it into biomass. Algae have great potential as renewable fuel sources and CO₂ capture using photosynthesis for carbon fixation has also attracted much attention. This paper presents an extensive and in-depth report on the utilization of algae for carbon capture and accumulation. This is done in conjunction with cultivating the algae for the production of biomass for biodiesel production. Different systems are investigated for algae cultivation as well as carbon capture to effectively mitigate carbon emissions. The performance and productivity of these biosystems depend on various conditions including algae type, light sources, nutrients, pH, temperature, and mass transfer. Macroalgae and microalgae species were explored to determine their suitability for carbon capture and sequestration, along with the production of biodiesel. The steps for producing biodiesel were comprehensively reviewed, which are harvesting, dehydrating, oil extraction, oil refining, and transesterification. This technology combines active carbon capture with the potential of biodiesel production.