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Photovoltaic Solar Cells and Systems: Fundamentals and Applications
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Photovoltaic Solar Cells and Systems: Fundamentals and Applications

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A2: Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 2601

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Laurentiu Fara

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Physics Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
2. Department (Section) of Physical Sciences, Academy of Romanian Scientists (Academy of Sciences), Bucharest, Romania
Interests: solar cells modelling and simulation; PV systems modelling and simulation; forecasting of solar radiation; BIPV systems; applications of PV systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. James Connolly

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CentraleSupélec, GeePs (Group of electrical engineering - Paris), 3 & 11 rue Joliot-Curie, Plateau de Moulon, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, CEDEX, France
Interests: materials; photovoltaics; experimental physics; software development; device modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Guest Editor is inviting submissions for a Special Issue of Energies on the subject area of “Photovoltaic Solar Cells and Systems: Fundamentals and Applications.

The increased demand in the power supply has imposed a stress on the preoccupations regarding the quality of electricity, determining that energy production has to be reliable and stable. The aspects regarding the quality of electricity, based on renewable energy, are not yet favorable to large power systems, raising compatibility issues with the electricity grid. The production of conventional electricity, based on fossil fuels, has managed to maintain a balance between the produced energy and its quality, so far; however, this conventional approach is expected to be eliminated in the near future, both for environmental reasons and due to depletion of resources, determined by oil and natural gas. This has redirected a wealth of studies and research to renewable energy. At the same time, there is a growing awareness of the importance of a clean environment, with major concerns related to global warming and environmental pollution, which have given an additional impetus to new technologies for electricity generation. Thus, it has been possible to move to the exploitation of renewable energy on a larger scale; in particular, the installed capacity of photovoltaic (PV) systems has increased. However, the quality of electricity produced by the photovoltaic sector varies in both annual and daily cycles (day–night), depending very much on specific meteorological parameters such as solar irradiance, temperature, and humidity, respectively on spontaneous factors such as clouds, nebulosity, aerosol content, etc. As these issues contribute negatively to the development of PV systems, the field is open to research, with many unsolved issues.

There are concerns regarding increasing the conversion efficiency of solar cells, their numerical modeling and simulation being a priority direction. At the same time, different methods are being considered to improve the electrical efficiency of PV systems, using various techniques and tools, such as maximum power point tracking (MPPT), the implementation of fuzzy logic controller (FLC) algorithms, and the development of intelligent systems for tracking the optimal point of solar energy capture and conversion (tracking system). In the future, the gradual reduction of costs for PV modules and increasing the conversion efficiency of solar energy into electricity will accelerate the process of developing new capacities of PV systems. At the same time, established specific standards have been in the photovoltaic field, namely, Q3 (quality and reliability standards for BOS), Q4 (quality and reliability standards for PV generators), UL1741 (quality and safety standards for inverters, converters, and controllers used in PV applications), T1 and C2 (compatibility/interface standards for PV distributed systems), T2 and C3 (compatibility/interface standards for smart grid), and others.

A very good policy in the standardization of PV components and systems, together with their operational optimization based on numerical modeling, would allow the development of performant elements to be used in the photovoltaic sector.

The focus on PV systems as a renewable energy option represents an innovative technological and mitigation strategy. If future projections hold, renewables will account for over 50% of CO2 emission reduction by 2050. They also contribute to economic development via an increase in gross domestic product, energy access, secure energy supply, and the reduction of negative impacts on the environment and health.

Hence, this Special Issue looks for participation of international experts dedicated to “Photovoltaic Solar Cells and Systems: Fundamentals and Applications” using strong scientific and multidisciplinary knowledge. We call for contributions from different disciplines on original/innovative approaches based on performant simulation tools, as well as review articles, applicable to analysis and numerical modeling in solar photovoltaic systems.

The main aspects associated with analysis and numerical modelling will be dedicated to:

  • advanced solar cells;
  • PV systems;
  • PV modules;
  • Advanced electrical batteries;
  • Power electron converters;
  • The MPPT method and FLC algorithm;
  • Impact on centralized generation.

Topics of interest for publication include but are not limited to:

  • Numerical modeling of advanced solar cells;
  • Numerical analysis and modeling of PV modules;
  • Numerical modeling of PV standalone and grid-connected systems;
  • Numerical modeling of power electron converters, including MPPT and FLC tools;
  • Numerical modeling of advanced batteries;
  • Numerical modeling of hybrid PV/thermal(PV/T) systems;
  • Numerical simulation and analysis of the impact of PV systems on centralized generation.

Prof. Dr. Laurentiu Fara
Dr. James Connolly
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • advanced solar cell, PV module, BOS, controller, inverter, electrical battery
  • maximum power point tracking (MPPT)
  • fuzzy logic controller (FLC)
  • machine learning modeling
  • autonomous (standalone) PV system
  • grid-connected PV system
  • bIPV system
  • photovoltaic park
  • PV applications (PV pumping, PV lighting, etc.)
  • hybrid system
  • PV performance
  • RAMS
  • PV complex system

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 9200 KiB  
Article
Forest Stand Growth Forecasting in the Context of Changes in the Insolation of Building Roofs
by Renata Pelc-Mieczkowska, Wioleta Błaszczak-Bąk, Joanna Janicka and Tomasz Kozakiewicz
Energies 2024, 17(3), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17030594 - 26 Jan 2024
Viewed by 459
Abstract
This article analyzed the long-term impact of tree growth on the decrease in sunlight of a planned photovoltaic installation. As trees grow, they can obstruct sunlight and reduce the amount of insolation reaching the PV panels, and knowledge about the degree of this [...] Read more.
This article analyzed the long-term impact of tree growth on the decrease in sunlight of a planned photovoltaic installation. As trees grow, they can obstruct sunlight and reduce the amount of insolation reaching the PV panels, and knowledge about the degree of this reduction is crucial when assessing the long-term economic effects of the investment. Currently, when planning PV installation, the roof facing, latitude, topography, and neighboring buildings are taken into account. However, there is no tool to assess the impact of tree growth over time on changes in the level of sunlight on the roof surface. The authors propose a tool for performing such an assessment using geospatial analysis techniques. The data from airborne laser scanning (ALS) and unmanned aerial vehicles with laser scanning (ULS) were used to model trees in two epochs. The authors used two epochs of data to evaluate mathematical models of tree growth. The evaluated tree growth model was then used to predict forest stand growth over a 30-year period and to assess the change in sunlight due to the modeled growth. For the case study, two test sites have been taken into account. At site 1 and site 2, respectively, 25 and 12 points representing the centers of potential photovoltaic panels were designed, for which the annual sum of minutes during which the point remained exposed to sunlight was calculated. The results showed that the use of ALS and ULS provided valuable data for determining current and predicted shading of trees. Moreover, the presented studies showed that the changes in forest stand growth had a significant impact on decreasing the insolation of building construction. In the case of both test sites, the change in tree height after 30 years resulted in a reduction in the number of minutes of sunlight by more than 50%. The authors suggest that the developed technique should be incorporated into PV installation planning tools to ensure reliable prediction of the long-term profitability of designed PV installations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photovoltaic Solar Cells and Systems: Fundamentals and Applications)
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20 pages, 7108 KiB  
Article
A Scalable Hierarchical Dynamic PV Array Reconfiguration under Partial Shading
by Fatimah Ameen, Abdulrahman Siddiq, Attila Trohák and Rabab Benotsmane
Energies 2024, 17(1), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010181 - 28 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 570
Abstract
Photovoltaic (PV) arrays are often affected by partial shading (PS), which can significantly reduce their power output. Dynamic reconfiguration is a promising technique for mitigating the negative effects of PS by adjusting the electrical connections of the PV modules in real-time. This paper [...] Read more.
Photovoltaic (PV) arrays are often affected by partial shading (PS), which can significantly reduce their power output. Dynamic reconfiguration is a promising technique for mitigating the negative effects of PS by adjusting the electrical connections of the PV modules in real-time. This paper introduces a hierarchical-based switching block scheme for the dynamic reconfiguration of PV arrays under PS conditions. With the aim of mitigating the negative impact of PS on PV arrays, the proposed system employs a low complexity and easily scalable architecture, making it well-suited for practical applications. Comparative assessments against conventional configurations such as bridge-linked (BL), total-cross-tied (TCT), and series–parallel (SP) reveal superior energy harvesting efficiency for the proposed system under various shading conditions. The hierarchical switching block architecture, featuring multiple levels of switching blocks, enables efficient and flexible reconfiguration of the PV array, even in the presence of complex shading patterns. Through extensive simulations, the system consistently outperforms conventional configurations by adapting effectively to changing shading patterns and optimizing the PV array’s output. The proposed switching block (SB) reconfiguration technique significantly outperforms existing methods like TCT, Sudoku, dynamic proposals, and Magic Square in terms of both power generation (up to 42.52% increase) and efficiency (up to 42.13% improvement) under diverse partial shading conditions. The proposed hierarchical-based switching block scheme thus presents a promising solution for enhancing the dynamic reconfiguration of PV arrays under PS conditions, offering a balance between low complexity, scalability, and superior energy harvesting efficiency for practical applications in the realm of solar energy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photovoltaic Solar Cells and Systems: Fundamentals and Applications)
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11 pages, 5430 KiB  
Article
Breakdown Characteristics of Schottky Barrier Diodes Used as Bypass Diodes in Photovoltaic Modules under Lightning Surges
by Toshiyuki Hamada, Ikuo Nanno, Norio Ishikura, Masayuki Fujii and Shinichiro Oke
Energies 2023, 16(23), 7792; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16237792 - 27 Nov 2023
Viewed by 580
Abstract
Damage to photovoltaic power-generation systems by lightning causes the failure of bypass diodes (BPDs) in solar cell modules. Bypass diodes damaged by lightning experience high-resistance open- or short-circuit failures. When a bypass diode experiences short-circuit failure due to indirect lightning, the damage may [...] Read more.
Damage to photovoltaic power-generation systems by lightning causes the failure of bypass diodes (BPDs) in solar cell modules. Bypass diodes damaged by lightning experience high-resistance open- or short-circuit failures. When a bypass diode experiences short-circuit failure due to indirect lightning, the damage may not be immediately visible. When solar radiation is subsequently received, the current circulating in the closed circuit formed by the cell string and short-circuited bypass diode flows, resulting in overheating and burnout of the short-circuited bypass diode. The authors’ research group previously reported that when a bypass diode fails within a range of approximately 10−1 Ω to 10 Ω, the heat generated by the failed bypass diode is high, posing the risk of burnout. However, the detailed failure characteristics of the bypass diode that fail because of indirect lightning surges are not clear. In this study, we performed indirect lightning fracture tests and clarified the dielectric breakdown characteristics of Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) contained in the bypass diodes of photovoltaic solar cell modules, which are subjected to indirect lightning surges. Furthermore, we attempted to determine the conditions of indirect lightning that resulted in a higher risk of heat and ignition. As a result, short-circuit failures occurred in all the Schottky barrier diodes that were destroyed in the forward or reverse direction because of the indirect lightning surges. Moreover, the fault resistance decreased as the indirect lightning surge charge increased. These results indicate that the risks of heat generation and burnout increase when the Schottky barrier diode fails with a relatively low electric charge from an indirect lightning surge. In addition, we observed that for a forward breakdown of the Schottky barrier diode, the range of the indirect lightning surge that results in a fault condition with a higher risk of heat generation and burnout is wider than that for a reverse breakdown. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photovoltaic Solar Cells and Systems: Fundamentals and Applications)
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9 pages, 5043 KiB  
Brief Report
Impact of Bypass Diode Fault Resistance Values on Burnout in Bypass Diode Failures in Simulated Photovoltaic Modules with Various Output Parameters
by Toshiyuki Hamada, Tomoki Azuma, Ikuo Nanno, Norio Ishikura, Masayuki Fujii and Shinichiro Oke
Energies 2023, 16(16), 5879; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16165879 - 08 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 632
Abstract
The bypass diode (BPD), a protective element in a photovoltaic system (PVS), occasionally fails as a result of lightning damage. In this study, using various resistance values, we investigated the burnout risk of PV modules experiencing BPD failures through experiments that replicated conditions [...] Read more.
The bypass diode (BPD), a protective element in a photovoltaic system (PVS), occasionally fails as a result of lightning damage. In this study, using various resistance values, we investigated the burnout risk of PV modules experiencing BPD failures through experiments that replicated conditions in which a BPD fails. Specifically, we evaluated the electric power generated by the failed BPD as we varied the faulty resistance value. Furthermore, we examined the impact of the failure resistance value of the BPD on PV module burnout. The results indicated that the power consumption of a BPD is particularly high, ranging from approximately 2 to 10 Ω when the PV module operates at its maximum power point. In addition, when the load is disconnected, the risk of heat generation is significantly higher, at BPD fault resistance values of approximately 0.1–10 Ω. Moreover, a faulty BPD with a resistance of approximately 0.1–10 Ω poses a high risk of burnout, particularly during load disconnection, owing to the increased heat generated by a BPD failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photovoltaic Solar Cells and Systems: Fundamentals and Applications)
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