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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Fill Factor Loss in Fielded Photovoltaic Modules Due to Metallization Failures, Characterized by Luminescence and Thermal Imaging

Understanding the causes of photovoltaic module failure in the field can be achieved using spatially-resolved imaging tools in combination with current-voltage (IV) characterization. We evaluate 23 field-degraded modules by comparing their IV characteristics with module images obtained by electroluminescence, photoluminescence, UV-fluorescence, and dark lock-in thermography. We identify primarily metallization failures (metallization series resistance, solder point heating, broken fingers, disrupted interconnects) in these modules that has led to a severe drop in the fill factor and up to 35% power loss over only 2 years of deployment.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Numerical Validation of an Algorithm for Combined Soiling and Degradation Analysis of Photovoltaic Systems

We describe and demonstrate an open-source algorithm for simultaneously quantifying degradation and soiling of photovoltaic (PV) systems from energy-production time series data. The new analysis is based on year-on-year degradation rate analysis combined with stochastic rate and recovery soiling analysis. The algorithm is designed to fit into the workflow provided by RdTools, a Python module maintained by NREL and collaboratively developed with the community, which provides a framework and functions for degradation and loss-factor analysis of PV field data. We demonstrate the method on numerically simulated PV data sets and show that it reduces the root-mean-square error of the P50 degradation rate estimate when soiling is present.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

UV-Fluorescence Imaging of Silicon PV Modules After Outdoor Aging and Accelerated Stress Testing

Fast, non-destructive, outdoor-compatible methods for photovoltaic module characterization are essential for monitoring module quality without disrupting energy production. UV-fluorescence (UVF) imaging of the encapsulant layer can be used for crack detection in the field. We show that UVF patterns vary widely between modules and types of applied stress. We propose that combining accelerated stress testing (e.g. thermal cycling and damp heat) with field investigations can help build understanding of different types of UVF, which are formed and subsequently quenched at varying rates. Ultimately, such understanding could enable estimating when cracks were formed.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Luminescence and Thermal Imaging Applied to Half-Cut-Cell and Emitter-Wrap-Through-Cell Modules

Imaging techniques provide spatial details and visualization of module defects and degradation mechanisms that affect energy conversion efficiency and performance. We apply photoluminescence, electroluminescence, and dark lock-in thermography imaging techniques to evaluate new modules in their initial state and after applying stresses of damp heat, light-induced-degradation regeneration parameters, thermal cycling, and humidity-freeze cycles. One module uses emitter-wrap-through cells with back contacts connected to a metal-foil backplane, and the other is composed of half-cut cells. Imaging shows examples on non-uniform degradation and damage such as cells that degrade and recover under the applied conditions, cells with cracks and handling damage, and cells with increasing series resistance.

degradation↗
DOE OSTI2024

Cracked Gridline Wear Out Follows a Power Law

Cracks can form in Silicon solar cells in photovoltaic modules due to mechanical stresses arising from various extrinsic factors like handling and weather. While the immediate performance degradation may be minor, continuous loading overtime will degrade module performance. One probable reason is gridline surface wear across the cracked silicon with increased cyclic loading. In this work we propose a method to correlate gridline wear to module electrical degradation. We begin by conducting cyclic four-point bending tests on laminated silicon solar cells with a single crack and 22 intact gridlines for 10,000 cycles. We measure the progressive change in resistance during each loading cycle. We correlate it to a length scale called critical crack opening displacement (CCOD) that signifies failure of individual gridlines. By employing Weibull analysis, we determine the characteristic CCOD for all cycles and fit this data to a modified version of a wear power law. We observe that this i ts the data well. We also propose to study the effect of individual parameters in the power law equation and extend the equation to include material properties.

bending↗
DOE OSTI2024

Recovery of Glass and Silicon Solar Cells from Si-Modules Through Laser Processing

This study demonstrates an innovative and environmentally friendly laser-based approach for the efficient recovery of glass and silicon solar cells, allowing the recycling of photovoltaic modules. The methodology involves the use of a high-power pulsed laser beam focusing at various interfaces within the modules. Specifically, the delivery of ultra-short pulse laser energy at the interfaces of glass and polymeric encapsulants, as well as at the encapsulants and silicon solar cells, facilitates the debonding of polymers from both glass and silicon cell surfaces. The debonding occurs through photothermal, ablation, chemical modification, and localized heat generation. The research successfully demonstrates the recovery of glass from commercial mini solar modules of size 11.5 x 6.8 cm 2 and a silicon wafer of size 3.0x1.6 cm 2 . Ongoing efforts aim to extend the effectiveness of this laser-based methodology to comprehensively recycle larger-size components. This innovative approach holds promise for addressing environmental concerns associated with the disposal of solar modules, contributing to sustainable practices in the renewable energy sector.

glass↗
DOE OSTI2020

NH 4 OH Looping with Membrane CO 2 Absorber and Distributed Stripper for Enhanced Algae Growth

The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy (UK CAER) has devised a unique, integrated CO2 capture and utilization technology. CO2 from coal-fired power generation flue gas is first captured at half the operating cost of a typical aqueous CO2 capture system (CCS), distributed in an aqueous stream and then fixed by algae in bioreactors where the algae production is increased by 50% over that with a typical intermittent nutrient feeding system. Lower CCS operating cost is achieved by eliminating the flue gas pretreatment step for cooling and SO2 removal, eliminating steam extraction from the power generation steam cycle for solvent regeneration, and eliminating CO2 compression. Higher algae production is achieved by continuous, just-in-time nutrient feed to the bioreactors directly from a distributed solvent regenerator, which maintains the bioreactor pH for optimum growth. The process starts with a uniquely configured membrane absorber, where the flue gas is indirectly contacted with an ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) solvent. Dissolved NH3 is attractive for both CO2 capture and as an algae nutrient. For CO2 capture it is inexpensive, has a low regeneration energy, is thermally- and oxidatively-stable and has a viscosity near that of water, which makes is easy to transport. Numerous studies have shown that the scrubbing capacity of NH3 is approximately 0.9-1.2 kg of CO2/kg of NH3, with a CO2 removal efficiency of ~99% and half the solvent regeneration energy than that of 30 wt% MEA[1, 2, 3]. NH3 is attractive as an algae nutrient due to its low cost. The rich NH4OH solvent is pumped to a set of distributed regenerators which are co-located with the algae bioreactors. Solvent pumping, transport and distribution reduces the balance of plant (BOP) cost compared to a typical aqueous CCS related to the flue gas duct and boost fan required to transport the flue gas. The energy required for the distributed solvent regeneration is supplied by solar-thermal panels eliminating the need for steam extraction from the power generation steam cycle. After solvent regeneration, the product stream contains both the CO2 captured from the flue gas and volatized NH3 from the solvent. This product stream is fed directly to the bioreactors, eliminating the need for compression of the CO2 stream. The relative amounts of CO2 and NH3 in the product stream are adjusted and controlled by a controlling the regeneration conditions (pressure and temperature). The continuous feed of the right ratio of nutrients overcomes the typical inhibition of algae growth resulting from frequent pH swings in the bioreactor due to unbalanced (intermittent) feeding systems for CO2 and N. Also, because the regenerators will operate at pressure and be located in close proximity to the bioreactors, there is no worry about pressure drop when sparging the gas into the algae. Sparging produces small bubbles which is beneficial for mass transfer efficiency. One known challenge when using an NH4OH solvent is high NH3 emission. Hydrophobic membranes are used for CO2 capture using an aqueous NH3 solution[4, 5] without the direct contact between flue gas and aqueous solution. Additionally, UK CAER CO2 capture and utilization process manages NH3 slip in three extra measures. First, NH3 slip is minimized by working with minimal species partial pressure, which is proportional to the concentration in the liquid. Hence, lowering the capture solvent concentration will lower the NH3 partial pressure. Second, UK CAER’s previous work has demonstrated that the addition of Zn2+ into NH3 solutions to chelate the NH3 can reduce NH3 volatility. Third, the configuration of the membrane CO2 absorber utilizes condensed water from the flue gas to continually wash the gas-side of the membrane to reduce fouling and recapture NH3 slip. Additional details about the UK CAER unique, integrated CO2 capture and utilization technology will be presented along with technology development plans. Diao, N., Q. Li, and Z. Fang. 2004. Heat transfer in ground heat exchangers with groundwater advection. International Journal of Thermal Sciences. 43: 1203-1211, He, Q., M. Chen, L. Meng, K. Liu, and W. Pan. 2004. Study on Carbon Dioxide Removal from Flue Gas by Absorption of Aqueous Ammonia. Western Kentucky University. Yeh, A.C., and H. Bai. 1999. Comparison of ammonia and monoethanolamine solvents to reduce CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. The Science of the Total Environment. 228: 121-133, Villeneuve, K., D. Roizard, J.C. Remigy, M. Iacono, and S. Rode. 2018. CO2 capture by aqueous ammonia with hollow fiber membrane contactors: Gas phase reactions and performance stability. Separation and Purification Technology, 199: 189-197, Toro Molina, C., and C. Bouallou. 2016. Carbon dioxide absorption by ammonia intensified with membrane contactors. Clean Techn Environ Policy 18, 2133–2146 (2016)

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Remanufacturable "Net-Zero Pb" Perovskite Solar Modules

Our introduced a low-cost recycling method for perovskite PV cells which utilize KI salt-based solvents, a more sustainable chemical compared to commonly used chemicals such as DMF, chlorobenzene etc. All steps of the recycling method were demonstrated in detail in publications and presentations of the team. In addition, the techno-economic team demonstrated that the KI-based method is a more promising option compared to other methods investigated in the literature.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

PV Lifetime Project (2024 NREL Annual Report)

DOE’s PV Lifetime project was initiated in 2016 with the goal of accurately characterizing the early-life evolution of photovoltaic (PV) field performance. Different PV cell and module technologies result in different initial degradation rates due to effects like light-induced degradation (LID) and light & elevated temperature-induced degradation (LeTID). To accurately characterize the initial field degradation of maximum power (Pmp) requires the use of high-accuracy indoor IV curve measurements at standard test conditions. Therefore, PV modules involved in this study are removed from the field once or twice per year and brought indoors for measurement under constant temperature and irradiance conditions.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Carbondale Community Geothermal Coalition – Replicable Models for Decarbonizing Mixed-Use Rural Communities

The Carbondale Community Geothermal Coalition (CCGC) set out to prove that a fifth-generation geothermal district heating & cooling (5G GDHC) network can be technically feasible, cost-effective, and socially equitable for a small, mixed-use rural community. During Budget Period 1 (Planning & Design) the team: ● Completed a 449 ft thermal-response test confirming excellent ground conductivity (k = 1.69 Btu ft -1 hr -1 °F -1 ) and a benign 56.3 °F undisturbed temperature. Page 1 Final Technical Report for Award Number: DE-EE0010663 ● Built a fully calibrated digital twin (URBANopt → Modelica) for 240 k ft 2 of existing + future buildings. ● Designed a 75-borehole ambient-temperature loop (ATL) augmented by 75 solar-thermal panels, supplying 44 % of district heating and 100 % cooling in Stage-1. ● Produced retrofit bid-ready drawings for the Third Street Center and Second Street Townhomes. ● Reached > 200 community stakeholders and exceeded equity targets (46 % Hispanic/Latinx participation). ● Drafted a multi-tiered workforce plan aligned with Colorado Mountain College (Hispanic Serving Institution) and IGSHPA certifications.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Photovoltaic Module R&D Considerations for Soiling Mitigation

Photovoltaic (PV) modules work best in the sunniest environments. Unfortunately, often the sunniest places also have substantial amounts of airborne "dust" that deposits on the front surface of the modules and blocks the sunlight; reducing energy output. In fact, natural soiling has reduced the energy output of PV systems since the technology was first used, and viable mitigation strategies have remained elusive ever since. With the ever-increasing deployments around the world, especially in dusty environments, soiling is becoming a billion-dollar problem, worldwide. While substantial work has been done to examine and resolve some of the issues with PV soiling, often mitigation comes down to physically cleaning the modules. However, a more systematic evaluation of the different module properties correlations to soiling mitigation needs to be done. In many instances, the causal connections between module properties and soiling are simply not known. This lack of knowledge results in a substantial increase in time and effort to evaluate and qualify appropriate soiling mitigation protocols based on site specific issues and the intrinsic module properties that are typically not optimized for mitigating soiling in a given environment. Thus, module property protocols and/or standards are needed to more quickly help identify appropriate module and site-specific mitigation.

mitagation↗
DOE OSTI2024

DuraMAT FY 2023 Annual Report: Toward Reliability Forecasting

The Durable Module Materials Consortium (DuraMAT) launched in November 2016 with five years of funding from the U.S. Department of Energy s (DOE's) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). The program renewed in 2022 for an additional 6 years. DuraMAT is a multi-lab consortium led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, with Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) as core research labs. DuraMAT's overarching goal is to accelerate a sustainable, just, and equitable transition to zero-carbon electricity generation by 2035. 2023 has been a wild ride in the solar industry. Photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing is coming back to the United States, and deployment is booming again. DuraMAT has a unique opportunity to support flourishing manufacturing and deployment over the next couple of years.

durable module↗
DOE OSTI2024

Next-Generation Reverse Logistics Networks of Photovoltaic Recycling: Perspectives and Challenges

With the growing adoption of solar energy as a key component of the global energy transition and its new industrial policy (the Inflation Reduction Act and others), the United States is witnessing a significant increase in solar investments. This surge in installations and domestic and reshored manufacturing of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels brings with it a pressing issue: the proper management of end-of-life (EoL) PV panels. As these panels are decommissioned, either due to reaching the end of their lifespans or due to breakage across the various stages of the forward supply chain, it becomes crucial to establish efficient reverse supply chain logistics systems to address the challenges associated with their disposal, while also unlocking the value of the inherent materials that are of critical value for other forward supply chains. This perspective article examines the challenges regarding EoL PV panels and relevant reverse supply chain and logistics networks, and proposes future research directions based on the gaps observed among academic research, industry, and policy-making challenges. We identify the main bottlenecks and hurdles including, among others, the lack of supportive regulations and absence of structured, optimized recycling infrastructure. To this end, it is proposed that the key to achieving a sustainable reverse supply chain network for solar PV panels lies in relentless end-to-end supply chain cost optimization efforts supported by enabling policies. Moreover, it is proposed that designing systematic decision-making modeling frameworks is vital for examining different possibilities and scenarios for state, region or nation-wide optimization of solar PV reverse supply chain networks. Indicative to this effect, we discuss the development of a Resource-Task-Network (RTN)-based model and demonstrate its application and benefits through a case study. We wrap up with conclusions and future research directions.

circular economy↗
DOE OSTI2022

Increased panel height enhances cooling for photovoltaic solar farms

We report solar photovoltaic (PV) systems suffer substantial efficiency loss due to environmental and internal heating. However, increasing the canopy height of these systems promotes surface heat transfer and boosts production. This work represents the first wind tunnel experiments to explore this concept in terms of array flow behavior and relative convective heat transfer, comparing model solar arrays of varied height arrangements - a nominal height, extended height, and a staggered height configuration. Analyses of surface thermocouple data show average Nusselt number (Nu) to increase with array elevation, where panel convection at double height improved up to 1.88 times that of the nominal case. This behavior is an effect of sub-array entrainment of high velocity flow and panel interactions as evidenced through flow statistics and mean kinetic energy budgets on particle image velocimetry (PIV) data. The staggered height arrangement encourages faster sub-panel flow than in the nominal array. Despite sub-array blockage due to the lower panel interaction, heat shedding at panel surfaces promotes improvements on over 1.3 times that of the nominal height case.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗