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Renewable energy OK, but not too close to home

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Renewable energy OK, but not too close to home

When it comes to transitioning from carbon-based to renewable source energy systems, Americans are on board. They’re less keen, however, having these new energy infrastructures – wind turbines or solar farms – built close to their homes, which creates hurdles for policymakers. That’s according to a study from University of Georgia researcher Thomas Lawrence.

Lawrence and an international team conducted surveys in the United States, Germany and Ireland to assess people’s attitudes about renewable energy technologies and their willingness to have the necessary infrastructures built nearby.

“People in Germany and Ireland were more open to having renewable energy technologies closer to where they lived, perhaps because they have less space than in the U.S.,” said Lawrence, professor of practice in the College of Engineering. “In the U.S., I was happily surprised to see overall support for a transition of power sources – especially to solar and wind – in the electrical grid, and it was stronger than I would have guessed.”

Chilly reception for fossil fuels

Respondents in each country were asked to evaluate five energy sources – wind turbines, solar power technology, and more traditional electrical power generation using biomass, coal or natural gas as the power source. They also were asked questions about what distance from their home would be acceptable for the corresponding infrastructure and these energy sources. (The surveys were conducted using the local unit system of the three countries – miles for the U.S. and kilometers for Ireland and Germany. Five kilometers is roughly 3 miles.)

In all three countries, respondents were overwhelmingly opposed to having coal-fired or natural gas power plants located close to their residences. More than 80% chose “greater than 5 km/miles” and “reject regardless of distance” as their preferred distance for coal-fired power plants (89% in Ireland, 91% in the U.S. and 81% in Germany). More than 50% chose “greater than 5 km/miles” and “reject regardless of distance” as their preferred distance for natural gas power plants (80% in Ireland, 77% in the U.S. and 51% in Germany). They were generally more in favor of having renewable energy technologies located closer to their homes.

Respondents in Ireland and the U.S. were less willing to accept biomass power technology in their immediate vicinity, with more than 70% choosing “greater than 5 km/miles” or “reject regardless of distance” options. German respondents were somewhat more accepting, with 55% accepting biomass at distances less than 5 km/miles from their homes. According to Lawrence, the U.S. result may be because people here do not understand “biomass power,” which is in essence burning biomass such as wood scraps to power a more traditional electrical generation facility.

A warmer response for renewable energy

Americans were more open to having renewable energy technologies located near their homes, compared to traditional energy technologies, with 24% agreeing to solar infrastructure and 17% agreeing to wind turbines located 0-1 km/miles from their residences. Irish respondents had higher acceptance rates for solar, with 42% agreeing to solar infrastructure 0-1 km/miles from their homes, and slightly lower rates for wind turbines, with 13% agreeing to wind turbines at the same distance. German respondents were far more open to these energy sources, with 74% agreeing to solar and 33% agreeing to wind turbines located 0-1 km/miles from their homes.

Greater acceptance of renewable energy sources in Germany is not a surprise, according to Lawrence.

“Germany has been leading the charge in transitioning away from carbon-based energy sources,” he said. “Over 30% of their power right now is through wind or solar. People there are used to seeing wind farms and solar panels on rooftops.”

The study, published in The Energy Journal, also examined preferences related to different national energy policy objectives: economic viability, environmental sustainability, reliability of energy supply and social acceptance.

Results revealed that social acceptance is a more significant energy policy concern for Ireland compared to either Germany or the U.S. Respondents in Ireland rank social acceptance as more important than environmental sustainability or reliability of supply. They also place more importance on those three variables compared to economic viability.

In contrast, German respondents rank all the national policy objectives examined as more important than social acceptance, though similarly, they place greater importance on environmental sustainability and reliability of supply than economic viability. Respondents from the U.S. place much lower importance on social acceptance as a national policy objective, compared to the other three policy objectives.

“Respondents in all three countries were generally more in favor of having renewable energy technologies close to their homes – unlike conventional energy technologies like coal and natural gas – but ‘close to my home’ was different in the U.S. than Europe,” Lawrence said. “Five miles was the cutoff, at least in the U.S. Once you get beyond that point, it’s out of sight, out of mind. People in Germany and Ireland often don’t have the luxury of five miles.”

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Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency

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Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency


Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






In groundbreaking research published in Nano Energy, a team led by Prof. CHEN Chong at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has significantly improved the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By integrating inorganic nano-material tin sulfoxide (SnSO) as a dopant, they have boosted the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs to an impressive 24.5%.

Traditional methods of enhancing the charge transport in the critical hole transport layer (HTL) of PSCs involve the use of lithium trifluoromethanesulfonyl imide (Li-TFSI) to facilitate the oxidation of the HTL material spiro-OMeTAD. However, this method suffers from low doping efficiency and can leave excess Li-TFSI in the spiro-OMeTAD film, reducing its compactness and long-term conductivity. Additionally, the oxidation process typically requires 10-24 hours to achieve the desired electrical conductivity and work function.



The HFIPS team’s innovation lies in their development of a rapid and replicable method to control the oxidation of nanomaterials, using SnSO nanomaterial to pre-oxidize spiro-OMeTAD in precursor solutions. This novel approach not only enhances conductivity but also optimizes the energy level position of the HTL, culminating in a high PCE of 24.5%.



One of the key advantages of the SnSO-regulated spiro-OMeTAD HTL is its pinhole-free, uniform, and smooth morphology, which maintains its performance and physical integrity even under challenging conditions of high temperature and humidity. Additionally, the oxidation process facilitated by this method is significantly faster, taking only a few hours- a crucial factor in improving the commercial production efficiency of PSCs.



Prof. CHEN Chong highlighted the importance of this breakthrough, stating, “Also, the oxidation process only takes a few hours, which is good for improving the commercial preparation efficiency of PSCs.” This advancement not only marks a significant leap in the efficiency and stability of PSCs but also holds substantial implications for their commercial viability.



Research Report:A nanomaterial-regulated oxidation of hole transporting layer for highly stable and efficient perovskite solar cells


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Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high

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Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high


Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






Researchers at Tsinghua University have made a significant breakthrough in the efficiency of flexible solar cells, leveraging a novel fabrication technique to set a new efficiency record. This advancement addresses the longstanding challenge of the lower energy conversion efficiency in flexible solar cells compared to their rigid counterparts, offering promising implications for aerospace and flexible electronics applications.

Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs), despite their potential, have historically lagged in efficiency due to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based flexible substrate’s inherent softness and inhomogeneity. This limitation, coupled with durability issues arising from the substrate’s susceptibility to water and oxygen infiltration, has hindered the practical deployment of FPSCs.



The team from the State Key Laboratory of Power System Operation and Control at Tsinghua University, alongside collaborators from the Center for Excellence in Nanoscience at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology in Beijing, introduced a chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. This method facilitates the deposition of tin oxide (SnO2) on flexible substrates without the need for strong acids, which are detrimental to such substrates. Tin oxide is essential for the FPSCs as it acts as an electron transport layer, crucial for the cells’ power conversion efficiency.



Associate Professor Chenyi Yi, a senior author of the study, explained, “Our method utilizes SnSO4 tin sulfate instead of SnCl2 tin chloride, making it suitable for acid-sensitive flexible substrates. This approach not only enhances the efficiency of FPSCs but also their durability, with a new power conversion efficiency benchmark set at 25.09%, certified at 24.90%.”



The novel fabrication technique also contributes to the FPSCs’ stability, as demonstrated by the cells maintaining 90% of their initial efficiency after being bent 10,000 times. The researchers noted an improved high-temperature stability in SnSO4-based FPSCs over those made with SnCl2, pointing towards the dual benefits of efficiency and durability enhancements.



The research signifies a leap towards industrial-scale production of high-efficiency FPSCs, with potential applications ranging from wearable technology and portable electronics to aerospace power sources and large-scale renewable energy solutions. The team’s findings, supported by Ningyu Ren, Liguo Tan, Minghao Li, Junjie Zhou, Yiran Ye, Boxin Jiao, and Liming Ding, mark a pivotal step in transitioning FPSCs from laboratory to commercial use.



Research Report:25% – Efficiency flexible perovskite solar cells via controllable growth of SnO2


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KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells

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KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells


KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells

by Sophie Jenkins

London, UK (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






In 2009, researchers introduced perovskite-based solar cells, highlighting the potential of methylammonium lead bromide and methylammonium lead iodide-known as lead halide perovskites-for photovoltaic research. These materials, notable for their excellent light-absorbing properties, marked the beginning of an innovative direction in solar energy generation. Since then, the efficiency of perovskite solar cells has significantly increased, indicating a future where they are used alongside traditional silicon in solar panels.

Erkan Aydin, Stefaan De Wolf, and their team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have explored how this tandem technology could transition from experimental stages to commercial production. Perovskites are lauded for their low-temperature production process and their flexibility in application, offering a lighter, more adaptable, and potentially cost-effective alternative to silicon-based panels.



Combining perovskite with silicon in a single solar cell leverages the strengths of both materials, enhancing sunlight utilization and reducing losses that aren’t converted into electrical energy. “The synergy between perovskite and silicon technologies in tandem cells captures a broader spectrum of sunlight, minimizing energy loss and significantly boosting efficiency,” Aydin notes.



However, Aydin and his colleagues acknowledge challenges in scaling tandem solar-cell fabrication for the marketplace. For instance, the process of depositing perovskite on silicon surfaces is complicated by the silicon’s texture. Traditional laboratory methods like spin coating are not feasible for large-scale production due to their inefficiency and material wastage. Alternatives such as slot-die coating and physical vapor deposition present their own set of advantages and challenges.



Moreover, the durability of perovskite components under environmental stressors such as moisture, heat, and light remains a critical concern. Aydin emphasizes the need for focused research to enhance the reliability and lifespan of perovskite/silicon tandem cells, especially in harsh conditions.



Although tandem modules have already been demonstrated in proof-of-concept stages, the timeline for their market readiness is uncertain. Nonetheless, the successful development of efficient, commercial-grade perovskite/silicon solar cells is essential for meeting global energy demands sustainably.



Research Report:Pathways toward commercial perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics


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All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com





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