Colloidal quantum dots offer broad tuning of semiconductor band structure via the quantum size effect. In this paper, we present a detailed investigation on the influence of the thickness of colloidal lead sulfide (PbS) nanocrystals (active layer) to the photovoltaic performance of colloidal quantum dot solar cells. The PbS nanocrystals (QDs) were synthesized in a non-coordinating solvent, 1-oc...

Ti3+ species are highly unstable in air owing to their facile oxidation into Ti4+ species, and thus they cannot concentrate in the surface layer of TiO2 but are mainly present in its bulk. We report generation of abundant and stable Ti3+ species in the surface layer of TiO2 by boron doping for efficient utilization of solar irradiation. The resultant photocatalysts (denoted as B-TiO2-x) exhibit...

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs), based on TiO(2) and assembled using a dye from Beta vulgaris extract (BVE) with Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), are reported. The dye BVE/TEOS increased its UV resistance, rendering an increase in the cell lifetime; the performance of these solar cells was compared to those prepared with BVE without TEOS. The efficiency η for the solar energy conversion was, ...

Main objectives of the paper were to examine the complementary nature of solar and wind energy in primary and in “useful” form. Analyses are performed on real, measured solar and wind potential data at the same site. Solar irradiation and wind power density have been assessed as primary forms. In order to examine effects of their complementarity in real applications, i.e. in power systems, a hy...

This study reports the numerical analyses of a CO2 transcritical cycle on solar assisted heat pump water heating system in which evacuated tube U-pipe solar collector is utilized as an evaporator. This simulation model can predict operating characteristics for moderate meteorological conditions of North Dakota. The main purpose of this work is to simulate the overall performance of the heat pum...

The Croatian electricity demand exceeds domestic production and about 30% of additional power is covered from imports. The Croatian government is planning to add domestic production capacity, using natural gas and coal as the main fuel. Due to the attractive solar irradiation in Croatia, these new projects offer the possibility to build these thermal power plants as hybrid plants by adding sola...

The study offers updated and more accurate information about long-term annual solar resource in the most countries of Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EU-MENA) and evaluates PV power production potential. The underlying solar radiation and PV electricity output values are calculated form the solar and meteo database SolarGIS, which covers a history of recent 18 years. Direct Normal Irradia...

Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) mechanisms have been important in boosting renewable energy, by providing a long-term guaranteed subsidy of the kWh-price, thus mitigating investment risks and enhancing the contribution of sustainable electricity. By ongoing PV development, the contribution of solar power increases exponentially. Within this significant potential, it is important for investors, operators, ...

                                                                 In Iraq, solar radiation field measurements are available only for very limited locations such as some universities and research centers. This article reviews and compares the measured monthly averaged global solar radiation data for Iraqi provinces and cities available in the literature and studies over the internet especially Go...

Integrating variable energy resources, notably solar and wind, requires better understanding of where, when and how much of variable resources are available. China's ambitious solar energy development goal will be greatly facilitated by the resources assessment at higher spatial and temporal resolution. We utilized 10-year hourly solar irradiation data from 2001 to 2010 from 200 representative ...