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Toward Cost-Effective and Efficient Alternatives to Si Photovoltaics
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Toward Cost-Effective and Efficient Alternatives to Si Photovoltaics

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 16541

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Efat Jokar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Condensed Matter Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Interests: perovskite solar cells; thin-film solar cells
Dr. Mick Pylnev

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Advanced Materials Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Interests: perovskite solar cells; TiO2; organic solar cells; DSSC

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Solar energy is a non-carbon-emitting energy resource that can bring cheap energy to our daily lives. Nowadays, the drive to switch to a renewable energy economy is intensifying. In light of this, the photovoltaic industry has gone into high gear, manufacturing and installing solar cell modules across the globe at a frenzied pace and periodically achieving new record numbers. These figures will continue to increase as energy production becomes more sustainable and as the demand increases worldwide. Academic scholars and R&D teams need to meet this demand with new cost-effective designs, photovoltaic materials, and manufacturing processes.

The driving force in the search for new types of solar cells is the price of conventional silicon photovoltaic modules. Avoiding high-temperature–high-vacuum processes can cut down on fabrication costs. Affordable fabrication methods as well as materials for absorbers, charge-transporting layers, buffer layers, and contacts will reduce the costs of photovoltaic panels.

Thus, the emerging solution-derived organic solar cells, thin-film solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and perovskite solar cells are the best alternatives to conventional Si solar modules.

This issue aims to publish original reports on the photovoltaic materials (light absorbers, charge-transporting layers, buffer layers, and contacts) and fabrication techniques such as high-throughput, sheet-to-sheet, or roll-to-roll printing processes that are cheaper than conventional materials and technologies but that do not sacrifice the efficiency and stability of solar cell devices. Works on perovskite solar cells, organic solar cells, and DSSC as well as other thin-film solar cells are the target of this issue.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Efat Jokar
Dr. Mick Pylnev
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. Sustainability 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 2400 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

  • low-temperature process
  • thin-film solar cell
  • perovskite solar cell
  • polymer solar cell
  • dye-sensitized solar cells flexible
  • semitransparent
  • earth abundant
  • cost-effective
  • commercialization

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2252 KiB  
Article
Cu2O Heterojunction Solar Cell with Photovoltaic Properties Enhanced by a Ti Buffer Layer
by Binghao Wang, Zhiqiang Chen and Feng Zhao
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 10876; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410876 - 11 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1301
Abstract
In this study, semiconductor oxide cuprite (Cu2O) and indium tin oxide (ITO) heterojunction solar cells with and without a 10 nm thick titanium (Ti) thin film as the buffer layer were fabricated and characterized for comparison. The Cu2O film [...] Read more.
In this study, semiconductor oxide cuprite (Cu2O) and indium tin oxide (ITO) heterojunction solar cells with and without a 10 nm thick titanium (Ti) thin film as the buffer layer were fabricated and characterized for comparison. The Cu2O film was formed by low-cost electrodeposition, and Ti and ITO layers were deposited on a glass substrate by sputtering. The interfacial microstructures, surface topology, and electrical and photovoltaic properties of both solar cells were investigated. The test results showed that the Ti buffer layer changed the surface morphology, resistivity, and contact potential of the electrodeposited Cu2O film. With these changes, the photovoltaic performances of the Cu2O/Ti/ITO solar cell including open-circuit voltage (VOC) and short-circuit current (ISC) were all enhanced compared to the Cu2O/ITO solar cell, and the power conversion efficiency was improved from 1.78% to 2.54%. This study offers a promising method to improve the efficiency of Cu2O-based solar cells for sustainability in material resource, environment and eco-system, and energy production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Cost-Effective and Efficient Alternatives to Si Photovoltaics)
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15 pages, 5068 KiB  
Article
Slot-Die Coated Copper Indium Disulfide as Hole-Transport Material for Perovskite Solar Cells
by Sajjad Mahmoodpour, Mahsa Heydari, Leyla Shooshtari, Rouhallah Khosroshahi, Raheleh Mohammadpour and Nima Taghavinia
Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6562; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086562 - 12 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1829
Abstract
Perovskite photovoltaics have the potential to significantly lower the cost of producing solar energy. However, this depends on the ability of the perovskite thin film and other layers in the solar cell to be deposited using large-scale techniques such as slot-die coating without [...] Read more.
Perovskite photovoltaics have the potential to significantly lower the cost of producing solar energy. However, this depends on the ability of the perovskite thin film and other layers in the solar cell to be deposited using large-scale techniques such as slot-die coating without sacrificing efficiency. In perovskite solar cells (PSCs), Spiro-OMeTAD, a small molecule-based organic semiconductor, is commonly used as the benchmark hole transport material (HTL). Despite its effective performance, the multi-step synthesis of Spiro-OMeTAD is complex and expensive, making large-scale printing difficult. Copper indium disulfide (CIS) was chosen in this study as an alternative inorganic HTL for perovskite solar cells due to its ease of fabrication, cost-effectiveness, and improvements to the economic feasibility of cell production. In this study, all layers of perovskite solar cell were printed and compared to a spin-coating-based device. Various parameters affecting the layer quality and thickness were then analyzed, including substrate temperature, print head temperature, printing speed, meniscus height, shim thickness, and ink injection flow rate. The small print area achieved spin-coating quality, which bodes well for large-scale printing. The printed cell efficiencies were comparable to the reference cell, having a 9.9% and 11.36% efficiency, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Cost-Effective and Efficient Alternatives to Si Photovoltaics)
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18 pages, 3206 KiB  
Article
Developing Lead-Free Perovskite-Based Solar Cells with Planar Structure in Confined Mode Arrangement Using SCAPS-1D
by Mohammed Alamin Salih, Mustafa Abbas Mustafa and Bashria A. A. Yousef
Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1607; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021607 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4014
Abstract
In this work, the SCAPS-1D solar cell simulation software was used to model, simulate and track perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with planar structure, in a confined mode arrangement (FTO/TiO/CH3NH3PbI3/CH3NH3GeI3/CH3NH [...] Read more.
In this work, the SCAPS-1D solar cell simulation software was used to model, simulate and track perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with planar structure, in a confined mode arrangement (FTO/TiO/CH3NH3PbI3/CH3NH3GeI3/CH3NH3SnI3/CuO2). Different compositions, absorber thickness, electron affinity, and absorber doping concentration were investigated. Different hole transport materials (CuO2, CuI, NiO, PEDOT: PSS) were used. The best result for CH3NH3PbI3 with CuO2 hole transport material (HTM) showed an overall efficiency of 18.28%, FF of 62.71%, Jsc of 25 mA/cm2, and Voc of 1.1 V. For tin lead-free halide CH3NH3SnI3, the best results showed an overall efficiency of 24.54%, FF of 71.30%, Jsc of 34 mA/cm2, and Voc of 0.99 V. Lead-free PSC has an advantage over lead PSC due to lead toxicity. However, a tin-based cell is unstable, hence, the p-type carrier doping concentration of tin-based perovskite PCE of the device can be improved due to the better and stronger combined electric field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Cost-Effective and Efficient Alternatives to Si Photovoltaics)
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11 pages, 5205 KiB  
Article
Back Contact Engineering to Improve CZTSSe Solar Cell Performance by Inserting MoO3 Sacrificial Nanolayers
by Cheng-Ying Chen, Septia Kholimatussadiah, Wei-Chao Chen, Yi-Rung Lin, Jia-Wei Lin, Po-Tuan Chen, Ruei-San Chen, Kuei-Hsien Chen and Li-Chyong Chen
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9511; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159511 - 3 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3027
Abstract
Earth-abundant Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) is a promising nontoxic alternative compound for commercially available Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 thin-film solar cells. In this study, a MoO3 nanolayer was applied as a sacrificial layer to optimize the quality of the interface between the CZTSSe [...] Read more.
Earth-abundant Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) is a promising nontoxic alternative compound for commercially available Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 thin-film solar cells. In this study, a MoO3 nanolayer was applied as a sacrificial layer to optimize the quality of the interface between the CZTSSe and Mo back contact. MoO3 nanolayers can greatly improve CZTSSe grain growth and suppress the formation of some harmful secondary phases, especially the undesirable MoS(e)2. In terms of device performance, the series resistance was reduced from 1.83 to 1.54 Ω·cm2, and the fill factor was significantly enhanced from 42.67% to 52.12%. Additionally, MoO3 nanolayers improved CZTSSe absorber quality by lowering the defect energy levels from 228 to 148 meV. Furthermore, first-principles calculations demonstrate that the partial sulfoselenized MoO3 nanolayers may function as the (p-type) hole-selective contacts at Mo/CZTSSe interfaces, leading to an overall improvement in device performance. Lastly, a CZTSSe solar cell with about 26% improvement (compared with reference cells) in power conversion efficiency was achieved by inserting 5 nm MoO3 sacrificial layers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Cost-Effective and Efficient Alternatives to Si Photovoltaics)
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11 pages, 2483 KiB  
Article
Influence/Effect of Deep-Level Defect of Absorber Layer and n/i Interface on the Performance of Antimony Triselenide Solar Cells by Numerical Simulation
by Dong Le Khac, Shahariar Chowdhury, Montri Luengchavanon, Mohammad Shah Jamal, Amel Laref, Kuaanan Techato, Suwat Sreesawet, Sittiporn Channumsin and Chin Hua Chia
Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6780; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116780 - 1 Jun 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2768
Abstract
The antimony sulphide (AnS) solar cell is a relatively new photovoltaic technology. Because of its attractive material, optical, and electrical qualities, Sb2Se3 is an excellent absorption layer in solar cells, with a conversion efficiency of less than 8%. The purpose of this research [...] Read more.
The antimony sulphide (AnS) solar cell is a relatively new photovoltaic technology. Because of its attractive material, optical, and electrical qualities, Sb2Se3 is an excellent absorption layer in solar cells, with a conversion efficiency of less than 8%. The purpose of this research is to determine the best parameter for increasing solar cell efficiency. This research focused on the influence of absorber layer defect density and the n/i interface on the performance of antimony trisulfide solar cells. The researchers designed the absorber thickness values with the help of the SCAPS-1D (Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator-1D) simulation programme. For this purpose, they designed the ZnS/Sb2Se3/PEDOT: PSS planar p-i-n structure, and then simulated its performance. This result confirms a Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) of ≥25% at an absorber layer thickness of >300 nm and a defect density of 1014 cm−3, which were within the acceptable range. In this experiment, the researchers hypothesised that the antimony triselenide conduction band possessed a typical energy of ≈0.1 eV and an energetic defect level of ≈0.6 eV. At the n/i interface, every condition generated a similar result. However, the researchers noted a few limitations regarding the relationship between the defect mechanism and the device performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Cost-Effective and Efficient Alternatives to Si Photovoltaics)
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Review

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32 pages, 36544 KiB  
Review
Circular Design Principles Applied on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
by Fabian Schoden, Anna Katharina Schnatmann, Tomasz Blachowicz, Hildegard Manz-Schumacher and Eva Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp
Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15280; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215280 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2592
Abstract
In a world with growing demand for resources and a worsening climate crisis, it is imperative to research and put into practice more sustainable and regenerative products and processes. Especially in the energy sector, more sustainable systems that are recyclable, repairable and remanufacturable [...] Read more.
In a world with growing demand for resources and a worsening climate crisis, it is imperative to research and put into practice more sustainable and regenerative products and processes. Especially in the energy sector, more sustainable systems that are recyclable, repairable and remanufacturable are needed. One promising technology is dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). They can be manufactured with low energy input and can be made from non-toxic components. More than 70% of the environmental impact of a product is already determined in the design phase of a product, which is why it is essential to implement repair, remanufacturing and recycling concepts into the product design. In this publication, we explore appropriate design principles and business models that can be applied to DSSC technology. To realize this, we applied the concept of Circo Track, a method developed by the Technical University of Delft, to DSSCs and investigated which design concepts and business models are applicable. This method enables companies to transform a product that is disposed of after its useful life into one that can be used for longer and circulates in material cycles. The most important result is the description of a performance-based business model in which DSSCs are integrated into the customer’s building and green energy is provided as a service. During the operational phase, data is collected for product improvement and maintenance, and repair is executed when necessary. When the contract expires, it can be renewed, otherwise the modules are dismantled, reused, remanufactured or recycled. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Cost-Effective and Efficient Alternatives to Si Photovoltaics)
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