We review several examples of how spectrally-selective photonic structures may be used to improve solar cell systems. Firstly, we introduce different spectrally-selective structures that are based on interference effects. Examples shown include Rugate filter, edge filter and 3D photonic crystals such as artificial opals. In the second part, we discuss several examples of photovoltaic (PV) conce...

Recently, several parts of the world suffer from electrical black-outs due to high electrical demands during peak hours. Stationary photovoltaic (PV) collector arrays produce clean and sustainable energy especially during peak hours which are generally day time. In addition, PVs do not emit any waste or emissions, and are silent in operation. The incident energy collected by PVs is mainly depen...

Solar energy is the highly recognized energy source, capable of fulfilling the world’s future energy demands. The solar photovoltaic technology involves the unmediated transformation of sunlight into electricity. A little fraction is converted into electricity and the remaining gets exhausted as unused heat. This results in an increase in the operating temperature of the PV Panel. The conversio...

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials are promising components for chemical and biological sensors photocatalytic conversion operate as electron collectors in photovoltaic technologies. Many of th...

Efficiency of ultrathin flexible solar photovoltaic silicon microcell arrays can be significantly improved using nonimaging solar concentrators. A fluorophore is introduced to match the solar spectrum and the low-reflectivity wavelength range of Si, reduce the escape losses, and allow the nontracking operation. In this paper we optimize our solar concentrators using a luminescent/nonluminescent...

The objective of this study is to improve the performance a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) air heater incorporating thermal energy storage system (TESS) that uses paraffin and has metallic mesh layers. In experimental part research, three different pilot-scale PV/Ts have been designed, manufactured, experimentally investigated. first was structured as conventional PV/T, while second (PVT/TE...

New selective coating materials are developed and used in advanced solar collector and absorber designs with improved efficiency. Cobalt and Copper sulfides nanoparticles are high interest for absorbers of solar thermal collectors due to their optical properties and high absorptance in the solar wavelength range (> 96%). In the present work, Cobalt and Copper sulfides nanoparticles were synthes...

As the fossil fuels are depleting continuously, we know that solar energy harvesting is a significant potential area for new research dimensions. Sun provides us about 1.9 x 10 8 TWh/yr on the land, of which 1.3 x 10 5 TWh]/yr energy is used. In order to make much use of solar energy on the earth, solar energy harvesting into more usable form (e.g. heat or electricity) by using solar energy col...