Thermodynamic analysis of mixed and dry reforming of methane for solar thermal applications

Thermodynamic analysis of the reforming of methane with carbon dioxide alone （＂dry reforming＂） and with carbon dioxide and steam together （＂mixed reforming＂） is performed as part of a project which investigates the suitability of these endothermic reactions for the storage of solar thermal energy. The Gibbs free energy minimization method was employed to identify thermodynamically optimal operating conditions for dry reforming as well as mixed reforming with a desired H2/CO molar ratio of 2. The non-stoichiometric equilibrium model was developed using FactSage software to conduct the thermodynamic calculations for carbon formation, H2/CO ratio, CH4 conversion and H2 yield as a function of reaction temperature, pressure and reactant molar ratios. Thermodynamic calculations demonstrate that in the mixed reforming process, optimal operating conditions in a carbon-free zone are under H2O/CH4 /CO2 =1.0/1.0/0.5, p = 1 to 10 bar and T = 800 to 850℃ for the production of syngas with a H2 /CO molar ratio of 2. Under the optimal conditions, the maximum H2 yield of 88.0% is achieved at 1 bar and 850℃ with a maximum CH4 conversion of 99.3%. In the dry reforming process, a carbon formation regime is always present at a CO2/CH4 molar ratio of 1 for T = 700 1000℃ and p = 1-30 bar, whereas a carbon-free regime can be obtained at a CO2/CH4 molar ratio greater than 1.5 and T≥800℃.

Design of Broadband Metamaterial Absorbers for Permittivity Sensitivity and Solar Cell Application

A broadband and ultra-thin absorber for solar cell application is designed. The absorber consists of three layers, and the difference is that the four split ring resonators made of metal gold are encrusted in the gallium arsenide （GaAs） plane in the top layer. The simulated results show that a perfect absorption in the region from 481.2 to 684.0THz can be obtained for either transverse electric or magnetic polarization wave due to the coupling effect between the material of GaAs and gold. The metamaterial is ultra-thin, having the total thickness of 56nm, which is less than one-tenth resonance wavelength, and the absorption coefficients at the three resonance wavelengths are above 90%. Moreover, the effective medium theory, electric field and surface current distributions are adopted to explain the physical mechanism of the absorption, and the permittivity sensing applications are also discussed. As a result, the proposed structure can be used in many areas, such as solar cell, sensors, and integrated photodetectors.

Enhanced Efficiency of Metamorphic Triple Junction Solar Cells for Space Applications

Metamorphic In0.55Ga0.45P/In0.06Ga0.94As/Ge triple-junction （3J-MM） solar cells are grown on Ge （100） sub- strates via metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Epi-structural analyses such as high resolution x-ray diffrac- tion, photoluminence, cathodoluminescence and HRTEM are employed and the results show that the high crystal quality of 3J-MM solar cells is obtained with low threading dislocation density of graded buffer （an average value of 6.8× 10^4/cm2）. Benefitting from the optimized bandgap combination, under one sun, AM0 spectrum, 25℃ conditions, the conversion efficiency is achieved about 32%, 5% higher compared with the lattice-matched In0.49Ga0.51P/In0.01Ga0.99As/Ge triple junction （3J-LM） solar cell. Under 1-MeV electron irradiation test, the degradation of the EQE and I-V characteristics of 3J-MM solar cells is at the same level as the 33-LM solar cell. The end-of-life efficiency is -27.1%. Therefore, the metamorphic triple-junction solar cell may be a promising candidate for next-generation space multi-junction solar cells.

Distributed Solar PV System for Industrial Application

The paper presents the design and field test of a distributed solar PV system for industrial application （DGPVi）. DGPVi utilizes HyPV （hybrid PV） system which generates solar power for self-consumption in lighting and air conditioning in a production line of a factory when solar energy is available. It does not feed the excess PV power to the grid. HyPV will be switched to grid power supply when solar energy is not available. A 3 kWp DGPVi is installed in a factory for field demonstration. The test results show that the solar PV power generated can be utilized immediately. The solar energy generation efficiency （kWh/day per kWp PV installation） of DGPVi is close to that of grid-tied PV system without self-consumption and battery storage. The yearly return on investment of DGPVi is 2.0% at the present installation cost or 3.3% at further cost-down cost. The payback time will be 14.3 years at the present installation cost or 12.1 years at cost-down cost. The present study verifies the economic feasibility of DGPVi.

Role of PV-Powered Vehicles in Low-Carbon Society and Some Approaches of High-Efficiency Solar Cell Modules for Cars

Development of highly-efficient photovoltaic (PV) modules and expanding its application fields are significant for the further development of PV technologies and realization of innovative green energy infrastructure based on PV. Especially, development of solar-powered vehicles as a new application is highly desired and very important for this end. This paper presents the impact of PV cell/module conversion efficiency on reduction in CO2 emission and increase in driving range of the electric based vehicles. Our studies show that the utilization of a highly-efficient (higher than 30%) PV module enables the solar-powered vehicle to drive 30 km/day without charging in the case of light weight cars with electric mileage of 17 km/kWh under solar irradiation of 3.7 kWh/m2/day, which means that the majority of the family cars in Japan can run only by the sunlight without supplying fossil fuels. Thus, it is essential to develop high-efficiency as well as low-cost solar cells and modules for automotive applications. The analytical results developed by the authors for conversion efficiency potential of various solar cells for choosing candidates of the PV modules for automotive applications are shown. Then we overview the conversion efficiency potential and recent progress of various Si tandem solar cells, such as III-V/Si, II-VI/Si, chalcopyrite/Si, and perovskite/Si tandem solar cells. The III-V/Si tandem solar cells are expected to have a high potential for various applications because of its high conversion efficiency of larger than 36% for dual-junction and 42% for triple-junction solar cells under 1-sun AM1.5 G illumination, lightweight and low-cost potentials. The analysis shows that III-V based multi-junction and Si based tandem solar cells are considered to be promising candidates for the automotive application. Finally, we report recent results for our 28.2% efficiency and Sharp’s 33% mechanically stacked InGaP/GaAs/Si triple-junction solar cell. In addition, new approaches which are suitable for automotive applications by using III-V triple-junction, and static low concentrator PV modules are also presented.

Ab-initio calculations of bandgap tuning of In1-xGaxY(Y=N,P)alloys for optoelectronic applications

The III–V alloys and doping to tune the bandgap for solar cells and other optoelectronic devices has remained a hot topic of research for the last few decades.In the present article,the bandgap tuning and its influence on optical properties of In1-xGaxN/P,where(x=0.0,0.25,0.50,0.75,and 1.0)alloys are comprehensively analyzed by density functional theory based on full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method(FP-LAPW)and modified Becke and Johnson potentials(TB-mBJ).The direct bandgaps turn from 0.7 eV to 3.44 eV,and 1.41 eV to 2.32 eV for In1-xGaxN/P alloys,which increases their potentials for optoelectronic devices.The optical properties are discussed such as dielectric constants,refraction,absorption,optical conductivity,and reflection.The light is polarized in the low energy region with minimum reflection.The absorption and optical conduction are maxima in the visible region,and they are shifted into the ultraviolet region by Ga doping.Moreover,static dielectric constant e1(0)is in line with the bandgap from Penn’s model.

On the Use of Nanofluids in Solar Energy Applications

Renewable energy technologies are in the centre of interest to narrow the gap between fossil fuels and clean energy systems.The dominant role of solar energy systems among the alternatives is beyond question owing to being associated with an infinite energy source,well-documented theory,simplicity,eco-friendly structure and notably higher energy and exergy efficiency range compared to other renewables.However,in solar energy systems,conventional working fluids with poor thermophysical properties are still utilised.In other words,further improvements are still available in the said systems by the use of unique nanoparticles with superior thermal,electrical,optical and mechanical properties.Within the scope of this research,the applications of nanofluids in various solar energy systems such as tracking and non-tracking solar collectors,photovoltaic/thermal systems,solar thermoelectric devices,solar stills,solar thermal energy storage systems,solar greenhouses and solar ponds are comprehensively analysed.Relevant comparisons and discussions are proposed for the potential impacts of various nanofluids on coefficient of performance(COP)and thermodynamic performance figures of solar energy systems such as energy and exergy efficiency,effectiveness and productivity.Some challenges of nanofluids are also addressed which need to be resolved in further works.

Structural and Mechanistic Aspects of Mn-oxo and Co-based Compounds in Water Oxidation Catalysis and Potential Applications in Solar Fuel Production

To address the issues of energy crisis and global warming, novel renewable carbon-free or carbon-neutral energy sources must be identified and developed. A deeper understanding of photosynthesis is the key to provide a solid foundation to facilitate this transformation. To mimic the water oxidation of photosystem II oxygen evolving complex, Mn-oxo complexes and Co-phosphate catalytic material were discovered in solar energy storage. Building on these discoveries, recent advances in solar energy conversion showed a compelling working principle by combing the active Mn-oxo and Co-based catalysts in water splitting with semiconductor heteronanostructures for effective solar energy harnessing. In this review the appealing systems including Mn-oxo tetramer/Nafion, Mn-oxo dimer/TiO2, Mn-oxo oligomer/WO3, Co-Pi/Fe2O3, and Co-Pi/ZnO are summarized and discussed. These accomplishments offer a promising framework and have a profound impact in the field of solar fuel production.

Solar energy technology and its roles in sustainable development

Solar energy is environmentally friendly technology,a great energy supply and one of the most significant renewable and green energy sources.It plays a substantial role in achieving sustainable development energy solutions.Therefore,the massive amount of solar energy attainable daily makes it a very attractive resource for generating electricity.Both technologies,applications of concentrated solar power or solar photovoltaics,are always under continuous development to fulfil our energy needs.Hence,a large installed capacity of solar energy applications worldwide,in the same context,supports the energy sector and meets the employment market to gain sufficient development.This paper highlights solar energy applications and their role in sustainable development and considers renewable energy’s overall employment potential.Thus,it provides insights and analysis on solar energy sustainability,including environmental and economic development.Furthermore,it has identified the contributions of solar energy applications in sustainable development by providing energy needs,creating jobs opportunities and enhancing environmental protection.Finally,the perspective of solar energy technology is drawn up in the application of the energy sector and affords a vision of future development in this domain.