Photogrammetry and deep learning for energy production prediction and building-integrated photovoltaics decarbonization

Building-Integrated photovoltaics(BIPV)have emerged as a promising sustainable energy solution,relying on accurate energy production predictions and effective decarbonization strategies for efficient deployment.This paper presents a novel approach that combines photogrammetry and deep learning techniques to address the problem of BIPV decarbonization.The method is called BIM-AITIZATION referring to the integration of BIM data,AI techniques,and automation principles.It integrates photogrammetric data into practical BIM parameters.In addition,it enhances the precision and reliability of PV energy prediction by using artificial intelligence strategies.The primary aim of this approach is to offer advanced,data-driven energy forecasts and BIPV decarbonization while fully automating the underlying process.To achieve this,the first step is to capture point cloud data of the building through photogrammetric acquisition.This data undergoes preprocessing to identify and remove unwanted points,followed by plan segmentation to extract the plan facade.After that,a meteorological dataset is assembled,incorporating various attributes that influence energy production,including solar irradiance parameters as well as BIM parameters.Finally,machine and deep learning techniques are used for accurate photovoltaic energy predictions and the automation of the entire process.Extensive experiments are conducted,including multiple tests aimed at assessing the performance of diverse machine learning models.The objective is to identify the most suitable model for our specific application.Furthermore,a comparative analysis is undertaken,comparing the performance of the proposed model against that of various established BIPV software tools.The outcomes reveal that the proposed approach surpasses existing software solutions in both accuracy and precision.To extend its applicability,the approach is evaluated using a building case study,demonstrating its ability to generalize effectively to new building data.

A Distributed Photovoltaics Ordering Grid-Connected Method for Analyzing Voltage Impact in Radial Distribution Networks

In recent years,distributed photovoltaics(DPV)has ushered in a good development situation due to the advantages of pollution-free power generation,full utilization of the ground or roof of the installation site,and balancing a large number of loads nearby.However,under the background of a large-scale DPV grid-connected to the county distribution network,an effective analysis method is needed to analyze its impact on the voltage of the distribution network in the early development stage of DPV.Therefore,a DPV orderly grid-connected method based on photovoltaics grid-connected order degree(PGOD)is proposed.This method aims to orderly analyze the change of voltage in the distribution network when large-scale DPV will be connected.Firstly,based on the voltagemagnitude sensitivity(VMS)index of the photovoltaics permitted grid-connected node and the acceptance of grid-connected node(AoGCN)index of other nodes in the network,thePGODindex is constructed to determine the photovoltaics permitted grid-connected node of the current photovoltaics grid-connected state network.Secondly,a photovoltaics orderly grid-connected model with a continuous updating state is constructed to obtain an orderly DPV grid-connected order.The simulation results illustrate that the photovoltaics grid-connected order determined by this method based on PGOD can effectively analyze the voltage impact of large-scale photovoltaics grid-connected,and explore the internal factors and characteristics of the impact.

Progress of semitransparent emerging photovoltaics for building integrated applications

With the rapid development of emerging photovoltaics technology in recent years,the application of building-integrated photovoltaics(BIPVs)has attracted the research interest of photovoltaic communities.To meet the practical application requirements of BIPVs,in addition to the evaluation indicator of power conversion efficiency(PCE),other key performance indicators such as heat-insulating ability,average visible light transmittance(AVT),color properties,and integrability are equally important.The traditional Si-based photovoltaic technology is typically limited by its opaque properties for application scenarios where transparency is required.The emerging PV technologies,such as organic and perovskite photovoltaics are promising candidates for BIPV applications,owing to their advantages such as high PCE,high AVT,and tunable properties.At present,the PCE of semitransparent perovskite solar cells(ST-PSCs)has attained 14%with AVT of 22–25%;for semitransparent organic solar cells(ST-OSCs),the PCE reached 13%with AVT of almost 40%.In this review article,we summarize recent advances in material selection,optical engineering,and device architecture design for high-performance semitransparent emerging PV devices,and discuss the application of optical modeling,as well as the challenges of commercializing these semitransparent solar cells for building-integrated applications.

Systematic Review on Ground-Based Cloud Tracking Methods for Photovoltaics Nowcasting

Renewable energies are highly dependent on local weather conditions, with photovoltaic energy being particularly affected by intermittent clouds. Anticipating the impact of cloud shadows on power plants is crucial, as clouds can cause partial shading, excessive irradiation, and operational issues. This study focuses on analyzing cloud tracking methods for short-term forecasts, aiming to mitigate such impacts. We conducted a systematic literature review, highlighting the most significant articles on cloud tracking from ground-based observations. We explore both traditional image processing techniques and advances in deep learning models. Additionally, we discuss current challenges and future research directions in this rapidly evolving field, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art and identify opportunities for significant advancements in the next generation of cloud tracking systems based on computer vision and deep learning.

Enhancement of vertical phase separation in sequentially deposited organic photovoltaics through the independent processing of additives

Herein,the impact of the independent control of processing additives on vertical phase separation in sequentially deposited (SD) organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and its subsequent effects on charge carrier kinetics at the electron donor-acceptor interface are investigated.The film morphology exhibits notable variations,significantly depending on the layer to which 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) was applied.Grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering analysis reveals distinctly separated donor/acceptor phases and vertical crystallinity details in SD films.Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis is employed to obtain component distributions in diverse vertical phase structures of SD films depending on additive control.In addition,nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy shows that DIO control significantly affects the dynamics of separated charges in SD films.In SD OPVs,DIO appears to act through distinct mechanisms with minimal restriction,depending on the applied layer.This study emphasizes the significance of morphological optimization in improving device performance and underscores the importance of independent additive control in the advancement of OPV technology.

Polymer Fiber Rigid Network with High Glass Transition Temperature Reinforces Stability of Organic Photovoltaics

Organic photovoltaics(OPVs)need to overcome limitations such as insufficient thermal stability to be commercialized.The reported approaches to improve stability either rely on the development of new materials or on tailoring the donor/acceptor morphology,however,exhibiting limited applicability.Therefore,it is timely to develop an easy method to enhance thermal stability without having to develop new donor/acceptor materials or donor–acceptor compatibilizers,or by introducing another third component.Herein,a unique approach is presented,based on constructing a polymer fiber rigid network with a high glass transition temperature(T_(g))to impede the movement of acceptor and donor molecules,to immobilize the active layer morphology,and thereby to improve thermal stability.A high-T_(g) one-dimensional aramid nanofiber(ANF)is utilized for network construction.Inverted OPVs with ANF network yield superior thermal stability compared to the ANF-free counterpart.The ANF network-incorporated active layer demonstrates significantly more stable morphology than the ANF-free counterpart,thereby leaving fundamental processes such as charge separation,transport,and collection,determining the device efficiency,largely unaltered.This strategy is also successfully applied to other photovoltaic systems.The strategy of incorporating a polymer fiber rigid network with high T_(g) offers a distinct perspective addressing the challenge of thermal instability with simplicity and universality.

Forestvoltaics,Floatovoltaics and Building Applied Photovoltaics(BAPV)Potential for a University Campus

The United Nations’Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)highlight the importance of affordable and clean energy sources.Solar energy is a perfect example,being both renewable and abundant.Its popularity shows no signs of slowing down,with solar photovoltaic(PV)panels being the primary technology for converting sunlight into electricity.Advancements are continuously being made to ensure cost-effectiveness,high-performing cells,extended lifespans,and minimal maintenance requirements.This study focuses on identifying suitable locations for implementing solar PVsystems at theUniversityMalaysia PahangAl SultanAbdullah(UMPSA),Pekan campus including buildings,water bodies,and forest areas.A combined technical and economic analysis is conducted using Helioscope for simulations and the Photovoltaic Geographic Information System(PVGIS)for economic considerations.Helioscope simulation examine case studies for PV installations in forested areas,lakes,and buildings.This approach provides comprehensive estimations of solar photovoltaic potential,annual cost savings,electricity costs,and greenhouse gas emission reductions.Based on land coverage percentages,Floatovoltaics have a large solar PV capacity of 32.3 Megawatts(MW);forest-based photovoltaics(Forestvoltaics)achieve maximum yearly savings of RM 37,268,550;and Building Applied Photovoltaics(BAPV)have the lowest CO2 emissions and net carbon dioxide reduction compared to other plant sizes.It also clarifies the purpose of using both software tools to achieve a comprehensive understanding of both technical and economic aspects.

Semitransparent organic photovoltaics enabled by transparent p-type inorganic semiconductor and near-infrared acceptor

Semitransparent organic photovoltaics(STOPVs)have gained wide attention owing to their promising applications in building-integrated photovoltaics,agrivoltaics,and floating photovoltaics.Organic semiconductors with high charge carrier mobility usually have planar and conjugated structures,thereby showing strong absorption in visible region.In this work,a new concept of incorporating transparent inorganic semiconductors is proposed for high-performance STOPVs.Copper(I)thiocyanate(CuSCN)is a visible-transparent inorganic semiconductor with an ionization potential of 5.45 eV and high hole mobility.The transparency of CuSCN benefits high average visible transmittance(AVT)of STOPVs.The energy levels of CuSCN as donor match those of near-infrared small molecule acceptor BTP-eC9,and the formed heterojunction exhibits an ability of exciton dissociation.High mobility of CuSCN contributes to a more favorable charge transport channel and suppresses charge recombination.The control STOPVs based on PM6/BTP-eC9 exhibit an AVT of 19.0%with a power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 12.7%.Partial replacement of PM6 with CuSCN leads to a 63%increase in transmittance,resulting in a higher AVT of 30.9%and a comparable PCE of 10.8%.

Efficient Monolithic Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Photovoltaics

Tunable bandgaps make halide perovskites promising candidates for developing tandem solar cells(TSCs),a strategy to break the radiative limit of 33.7%for single-junction solar cells.Combining perovskites with market-dominant crystalline silicon(c-Si)is particularly attractive;simple estimates based on the bandgap matching indicate that the efficiency limit in such tandem device is as high as 46%.However,state-of-the-art perovskite/c-Si TSCs only achieve an efficiency of~32.5%,implying significant challenges and also rich opportunities.In this review,we start with the operating mechanism and efficiency limit of TSCs,followed by systematical discussions on wide-bandgap perovskite front cells,interface selective contacts,and electrical interconnection layer,as well as photon management for highly efficient perovskite/c-Si TSCs.We highlight the challenges in this field and provide our understanding of future research directions toward highly efficient and stable large-scale wide-bandgap perovskite front cells for the commercialization of perovskite/c-Si TSCs.

Evaluation of Multi-Temporal-Spatial Scale Adjustment Capability and Cluster Optimization Operation Method for Distribution Networks with Distributed Photovoltaics

Themassive integration of high-proportioned distributed photovoltaics into distribution networks poses significant challenges to the flexible regulation capabilities of distribution stations.To accurately assess the flexible regulation capabilities of distribution stations,amulti-temporal and spatial scale regulation capability assessment technique is proposed for distribution station areas with distributed photovoltaics,considering different geographical locations,coverage areas,and response capabilities.Firstly,the multi-temporal scale regulation characteristics and response capabilities of different regulation resources in distribution station areas are analyzed,and a resource regulation capability model is established to quantify the adjustable range of different regulation resources.On this basis,considering the limitations of line transmission capacity,a regulation capability assessment index for distribution stations is proposed to evaluate their regulation capabilities.Secondly,considering different geographical locations and coverage areas,a comprehensive performance index based on electrical distance modularity and active power balance is established,and a cluster division method based on genetic algorithms is proposed to fully leverage the coordination and complementarity among nodes and improve the active power matching degree within clusters.Simultaneously,an economic optimization model with the objective of minimizing the economic cost of the distribution station is established,comprehensively considering the safety constraints of the distribution network and the regulation constraints of resources.This model can provide scientific guidance for the economic dispatch of the distribution station area.Finally,case studies demonstrate that the proposed assessment and optimization methods effectively evaluate the regulation capabilities of distribution stations,facilitate the consumption of distributed photovoltaics,and enhance the economic efficiency of the distribution station area.

Recent Progress on Semi-transparent Perovskite Solar Cell for Building-integrated Photovoltaics

The electricity consumption of buildings is tremendous;moreover,a huge amount of electricity is lost during distribution.Taking away this consumption can significantly reduce energy demand and greenhouse effect gas emission.One of the low-cost and renewable solutions to this issue is to install photovoltaic panels on the buildings themselves,namely,building-integrated photovoltaics(BIPVs).Using this technology,power generation roofs,windows,and facades can harvest solar radiation and convert to electricity for building power consumption.Semi-transparent perovskite solar cells(ST-PSCs)have attracted tremendous attention for the power generation windows,due to the excellent photoelectric properties,versatile fabrication methods,bandgap tunability,and flexibility.Here,an overview is provided on the recent progress of ST-PSCs for BIPV,which mainly focuses on the control of perovskite morphology,optical engineering for an efficient and semi-transparent ST-PSC.We also summarize recent development on various transparent electrodes and present prospects and challenges for the commercialization of ST-PSCs.

A New Dynamic and Vertical Photovoltaic Integrated Building Envelope for High-Rise Glaze-Facade Buildings

Substantially glazed facades are extensively used in contemporary high-rise buildings to achieve attractive architectural aesthetics.Inherent conflicts exist among architectural aesthetics,building energy consumption,and solar energy harvesting for glazed facades.In this study,we addressed these conflicts by introducing a new dynamic and vertical photovoltaic integrated building envelope(dvPVBE)that offers extraordinary flexibility with weather-responsive slat angles and blind positions,superior architectural aesthetics,and notable energy-saving potential.Three hierarchical control strategies were proposed for different scenarios of the dvPVBE:power generation priority(PGP),natural daylight priority(NDP),and energy-saving priority(ESP).Moreover,the PGP and ESP strategies were further analyzed in the simulation of a dvPVBE.An office room integrated with a dvPVBE was modeled using EnergyPlus.The influence of the dvPVBE in improving the building energy efficiency and corresponding optimal slat angles was investigated under the PGP and ESP control strategies.The results indicate that the application of dvPVBEs in Beijing can provide up to 131%of the annual energy demand of office rooms and significantly increase the annual net energy output by at least 226%compared with static photovoltaic(PV)blinds.The concept of this novel dvPVBE offers a viable approach by which the thermal load,daylight penetration,and energy generation can be effectively regulated.

Ionic Liquid Engineering in Perovskite Photovoltaics

Over the past decade,perovskite photovoltaics have approached other currently available technologies and proven to be the most prospective type of solar cells.Although the many-sided research in this very active field has generated consistent results with regard to their undisputed consistently increasing power conversion efficiency,it also produced several rather contradictory opinions.Among other important details,debate surrounding their proneness to surface degradation and poor mechanical robustness,as well as the environmental footprint of this materials class,remains a moot point.The application of ionic liquids appears as one of the potential remedies to some of these challenges due to their high conductivity,the opportunities for chemical"tuning"of the structure,and relatively lower environmental footprint.This article provides an overview,classification,and applications of ionic liquids in perovskite solar cells.We summarize the use and role of ionic liquids as versatile additives,solvents,and modifiers in perovskite precursor solution,in charge transport layer,and in interfacial and stability engineering.Finally,challenges and the future prospects for the design and/or selection of ionic liquids with a specific profile that meets the requirements for next-generation highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells are proposed.

Solar Photovoltaics Development in Nigeria: Drivers, Barriers, and Policies

Energy access is vital to a nation’s economic growth and its populace’s social well-being. Still, there is a lack of adequate energy in Nigeria, negatively affecting the country’s socio-economic development. Due to the inadequate energy supply, some manufacturing companies shut their operations, and most Nigerians now use backup generators (BUGs) with their attendant health hazards, environmental pollution, and global warming. The need for energy access and a sustainable energy supply through renewable energy (RE) resources necessitates adopting solar photovoltaics (PV) in Nigeria. Studies on Nigeria’s energy accessibility and sustainability are generally on RE development and a few on solar PV applications. This research covers the need for an in-depth analysis of the growth of solar PV in Nigeria, and the research question is: What factors promote or limit the adoption of solar photovoltaics in Nigeria? A method of Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Thematic Analysis (TA) is employed for the analysis. The research findings are divided into drivers, barriers, and policies. Some identified factors promoting the adoption of solar PV are energy poverty and the urgency to improve electricity supply, the ease of its operation and maintenance, and the Nigerian government’s commitment to clean electricity supply with policy initiatives and increased awareness of solar PV applications. Conversely, some noticed factors mitigating the growth of solar PV are poor tariff systems, dual subsidies of electricity and petroleum, and lack of finance and economic incentives.

Blue phosphorene/MoSi2N4 van der Waals type-Ⅱ heterostructure:Highly efficient bifunctional materials for photocatalytics and photovoltaics

Converting solar energy into electric power or hydrogen fuel is a promising means to obtain renewable green energy.Here, we design a two-dimensional blue phosphorene(BlueP)/MoSi2N4van der Waals heterostructure(vdWH) and investigate its potential application in photocatalysis and photovoltaics using first-principles calculations. We find that the BlueP/MoSi2N4vdWH possesses type-Ⅱ band structure with a large build-in electric field, thus endowing it with a potential ability to separate photogenerated electron–hole pairs. The calculated band-edge positions show that the heterostructure is a very promising water-splitting photocatalyst. Its solar-to-hydrogen efficiency(ηSTH) can reach up to 15.8%, which is quite promising for commercial applications. Furthermore, the BlueP/MoSi2N4vdWH shows remarkably light absorption capacity and distinguished maximum power conversion efficiency(ηPCE) up to 10.61%. Remarkably, its ηPCEcan be further enhanced by the external strain: the ηPCEof 21.20% can be obtained under a 4% tensile strain. Finally, we determine that adjusting the number of the BlueP sublayer is another effective method to modulate the band gaps and band alignments of the heterostructures. These theoretical findings indicate that BlueP/MoSi2N4vd WH is a promising candidate for photocatalyst and photovoltaic device.

Energy Loss Analysis of Distributed Rooftop Photovoltaics in Industrial Parks

The analysis of the loss of distributed photovoltaic power generation systems involves the interests of energy users,energy-saving service companies,and power grid companies,so it has always been the focus of the industry and society in some manner or another.However,the related analysis for an actual case that considers different cooperative corporations’benefits is lacking in the presently available literature.This paper takes the distributed rooftop photovoltaic power generation project in an industrial park as the object,studies the analysis and calculation methods of line loss and transformer loss,analyzes the change of transformer loss under different temperatures and different load rates,and compares the data and trend of electricity consumption and power generation in industrial parks before and after the photovoltaic operation.This paper explores and practices the analysis method of the operating loss of distributed photovoltaic power generation and provides an essential reference for the benefit analysis and investment cost estimation of distributed photovoltaic power generation systems in industrial parks.The analyzed results reveal that the change loss is stable after the photovoltaic is connected,and there is no additional transformer loss.And before and after the photovoltaic system installation,there was no significant change in the total monthly data difference between the total meter and the sub-meter.

Flexibility potential of Cs_(2)BX_(6)(B=Hf,Sn,Pt,Zr,Ti;X=I,Br,Cl)with application in photovoltaic devices and radiation detectors

As interest in double perovskites is growing,especially in applications like photovoltaic devices,understanding their mechanical properties is vital for device durability.Despite extensive exploration of structure and optical properties,research on mechanical aspects is limited.This article builds a vacancyordered double perovskite model,employing first-principles calculations to analyze mechanical,bonding,electronic,and optical properties.Results show Cs_(2)Hfl_(6),Cs_(2)SnBr_(6),Cs_(2)SnI_(6),and Cs_(2)PtBr_(6)have Young's moduli below 13 GPa,indicating flexibility.Geometric parameters explain flexibility variations with the changes of B and X site composition.Bonding characteristic exploration reveals the influence of B and X site electronegativity on mechanical strength.Cs_(2)SnBr_(6)and Cs_(2)PtBr_(6)are suitable for solar cells,while Cs_(2)HfI_(6)and Cs_(2)TiCl_(6)show potential for semi-transparent solar cells.Optical property calculations highlight the high light absorption coefficients of up to 3.5×10^(5) cm^(-1)for Cs_(2)HfI_(6)and Cs_(2)TiCl_(6).Solar cell simulation shows Cs_(2)PtBr_(6)achieves 22.4%of conversion effciency.Cs_(2)ZrCl_(6)holds promise for ionizing radiation detection with its 3.68 eV bandgap and high absorption coefficient.Vacancy-ordered double perovskites offer superior flexibility,providing valuable insights for designing stable and flexible devices.This understanding enhances the development of functional devices based on these perovskites,especially for applications requiring high stability and flexibility.

Recent advances in two-dimensional photovoltaic devices

Two-dimensional(2D)materials have attracted tremendous interest in view of the outstanding optoelectronic properties,showing new possibilities for future photovoltaic devices toward high performance,high specific power and flexibility.In recent years,substantial works have focused on 2D photovoltaic devices,and great progress has been achieved.Here,we present the review of recent advances in 2D photovoltaic devices,focusing on 2D-material-based Schottky junctions,homojunctions,2D−2D heterojunctions,2D−3D heterojunctions,and bulk photovoltaic effect devices.Furthermore,advanced strategies for improving the photovoltaic performances are demonstrated in detail.Finally,conclusions and outlooks are delivered,providing a guideline for the further development of 2D photovoltaic devices.

Multi-Time Scale Optimal Scheduling of a Photovoltaic Energy Storage Building System Based on Model Predictive Control

Building emission reduction is an important way to achieve China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.Aiming at the problem of low carbon economic operation of a photovoltaic energy storage building system,a multi-time scale optimal scheduling strategy based on model predictive control(MPC)is proposed under the consideration of load optimization.First,load optimization is achieved by controlling the charging time of electric vehicles as well as adjusting the air conditioning operation temperature,and the photovoltaic energy storage building system model is constructed to propose a day-ahead scheduling strategy with the lowest daily operation cost.Second,considering inter-day to intra-day source-load prediction error,an intraday rolling optimal scheduling strategy based on MPC is proposed that dynamically corrects the day-ahead dispatch results to stabilize system power fluctuations and promote photovoltaic consumption.Finally,taking an office building on a summer work day as an example,the effectiveness of the proposed scheduling strategy is verified.The results of the example show that the strategy reduces the total operating cost of the photovoltaic energy storage building system by 17.11%,improves the carbon emission reduction by 7.99%,and the photovoltaic consumption rate reaches 98.57%,improving the system’s low-carbon and economic performance.

High Efficiency Formamidinium-Cesium Perovskite-Based Radio-Photovoltaic Cells

Radio-photovoltaic cell is a micro nuclear battery for devices operating in extreme environments,which converts the decay energy of a radioisotope into electric energy by using a phosphor and a photovoltaic converter.Many phosphors with high light yield and good environmental stability have been developed,but the performance of radio-photovoltaic cells remains far behind expectations in terms of power density and power conversion efficiency,because of the poor photoelectric conversion efficiency of traditional photovoltaic converters under low-light conditions.This paper reports an radio-photovoltaic cell based on an intrinsically stable formamidinium-cesium perovskite photovoltaic converter exhibiting a wide light wavelength response from 300 to 800 nm,high open-circuit voltage(V_(oc)),and remarkable efficiency at low-light intensity.When a He ions accelerator is adopted as a mimickedαradioisotope source with an equivalent activity of 0.83 mCi cm^(-2),the formamidinium-cesium perovskite radio-photovoltaic cell achieves a V_(oc)of 0.498 V,a short-circuit current(J_(sc))of 423.94 nA cm^(-2),and a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 0.886%,which is 6.6 times that of the Si reference radio-photovoltaic cell,as well as the highest among all radio-photovoltaic cells reported so far.This work provides a theoretical basis for enhancing the performance of radio-photovoltaic cells.