Small area hybrid organometal halide perovskite based solar cells reached performances comparable to the multicrystalline silicon wafer cells. However, industrial applications require the scaling-up ...of devices to module-size. Here, we report the first fully laser-processed large area (14.5 cm 2 ) perovskite solar module with an aperture ratio of 95% and a power conversion efficiency of 9.3%. To obtain this result, we carried out thorough analyses and optimization of three laser processing steps required to realize the serial interconnection of various cells. By analyzing the statistics of the fabricated modules, we show that the error committed over the projected interconnection dimensions is sufficiently low to permit even higher aperture ratios without additional efforts.
In recent years the development of LVDC distribution networks is under consideration. DC electrical distributions offer several advantages compared to AC ones in many applications, in particular in ...the presence of energy storage systems and distributed generation like high efficacy, flexibility and simple integration of renewables. The DC distribution allows to integrate in a more efficient "microgrid" different sources with DC/DC converters. The paper proposes an innovative model of microgrid configuration for aggregations of end-users able to share the power produced by common generators and energy services named by the authors Power Sharing Model (PSM) using a DC bus that connects in a one way approach, the common generators to the end-users. The paper investigates on the different suggested configurations of the PSM, with the converter characteristics and controls. A simplified case study is analyzed to test the performance of the sharing model and the stability of the control in different scenarios. The paper compares the PSM based on a LVDC grid with existing approaches of virtual aggregations, and it highlights the main differences between the currently existing methods and our new LVDC microgrid approach. The suggested PSM appears more efficient, convenient and flexible than the existing virtual models, because users physically self-consume and share the energy locally generated.
An environmentally friendly hydrogel based on gelatin has been investigated as a gel polymer electrolyte in a symmetric carbon-based supercapacitor. To guarantee the complete sustainability of the ...devices, biomaterials from renewable resources (such as chitosan, casein and carboxymethyl cellulose) and activated carbon (from coconut shells) have been used as a binder and filler within the electrode, respectively. The electrochemical properties of the devices have been compared by using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge curves and impedance spectroscopy. Compared to the liquid electrolyte, the hydrogel supercapacitors show similar energy performance with an enhancement of stability up to 12,000 cycles (e.g., chitosan as a binder). The most performant device can deliver ca. 5.2 Wh/kg of energy at a high power density of 1256 W/kg. A correlation between the electrochemical performances and charge storage mechanisms (involving faradaic and non-faradaic processes) at the interface electrode/hydrogel has been discussed.
In this work, we demonstrate the successful application of two-dimensional (2D) materials, i.e., graphene and functionalized MoS2, in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by interface engineering the ...standard mesoscopic n–i–p structure. The use of 2D materials has the dual role to improve both the stability and the overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PSCs compared to standard devices. The application of 2D materials is successfully extended to large-area perovskite solar modules (PSMs), achieving PCEs of 13.4% and 15.3% on active areas of 108 cm2 and 82 cm2, respectively. This performance results in record-high active area-indexed aperture PCE (AIAPCE) of 1266.5% cm2. In addition, the 2D materials-based PSMs show a stability under a prolonged (>1000 h) thermal stress test at 65 °C (ISOS-D2), representing a crucial advancement in the exploitation of perovskite photovoltaic technology.
The electrochemical characteristics and stability of hydrogel‐based environmentally friendly supercapacitors employing sodium acetate as salt have been investigated. To ensure the overall ...sustainability of the devices, chitosan (a biomaterial from renewable resources) and activated carbon (derived from coconut shells) have been used as a binder and filler within the electrodes, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and impedance spectroscopy measurements have been performed to compare the electrochemical properties of the fabricated devices. Compared to reference electrolytes containing NaCl, the utilization of sodium acetate exhibited enhancements in energy performance and stability up to 50000 cycles. The most efficient device has been delivered approximately 10.6 Wh/kg of energy at a high‐power density of about 3940 W/kg. A comprehensive investigation of the electrochemical performances has been carried out, considering both faradaic and non‐faradaic processes as charge storage mechanisms within the devices. A model has been proposed to describe the storage mechanisms and to provide insights into the ageing phenomena observed during the cycling procedure.
Electrochemical performance and cycle stability of environmentally‐friendly gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) supercapacitors have been assessed. Sodium acetate outperformed NaCl‐based reference electrolytes, showing enhanced energy performance up to 10.6 Wh/kg and stability over 50000 cycles. A comprehensive model to understand charge storage mechanisms and ageing phenomena during the cycling process has been proposed.
A water-processable and low-cost nanocomposite material, based on gelatin and graphene, has been used to fabricate an environmentally friendly temperature sensor. Demonstrating a ...temperature-dependent open-circuit voltage between 260 and 310 K, the sensor effectively detects subzero ice formation. Notably, it maintains a constant temperature sensitivity of approximately -19 mV/K over two years, showcasing long-term stability. Experimental evidence demonstrates the efficient regeneration of aged sensors by injecting a few drops of water at a temperature higher than the gelation point of the hydrogel nanocomposite. The real-time monitoring of the electrical characteristics during the hydration reveals the initiation of the regeneration process at the gelation point (~306 K), resulting in a more conductive nanocomposite. These findings, together with a fast response and low power consumption in the range of microwatts, underscore the potential of the eco-friendly sensor for diverse practical applications in temperature monitoring and environmental sensing. Furthermore, the successful regeneration process significantly enhances its sustainability and reusability, making a valuable contribution to environmentally conscious technologies.
The present work focuses on research into alternative and more scalable processes for organometal halide perovskite layer deposition. We compare solar cells fabricated by sequential step deposition ...of the perovskite layer, where the PbI2 film is deposited using either blade or spin coating. By controlling the crystallization of the PbI2 with air flow, a highly compact layer was obtained with both techniques. The final perovskite structure was then obtained by dipping the substrates in a methylammonium iodide solution. The study and the consequent optimization of the blade coating process and the dipping time, led us to achieve 10 mm2 solar cells with a maximum efficiency of 13.3% and an average efficiency of 12.1%. To prove the scalability of the process, series connected modules were fabricated containing blade coated PbI2 films. The films were laser patterned with a CO2 laser before being dipped in the methylamine iodide solution. A module efficiency of 10.4% was obtained for a 10.1 cm2 active area. An efficiency of 4.3% was measured for a module area of 100 cm2.
•Blade coating deposition for perovskite solar cells with efficiency up to 13.3%.•Study of PbI2 and perovskite layer morphology with SEM and photocurrent maps (LBIC).•Laser patterning of the PbI2 layer with a CO2 laser.•High efficiency (10.3%) blade coated perovskite module on 10.1 cm2 active area.•100 cm2 module, obtained with blade coating deposition of perovskite and HTM layers.
Chemical Vapor Deposited (CVD) graphene is one of the most interesting candidate to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) as transparent conductive electrode in organic photovoltaic field. Here, a ...four-layer graphene has been properly doped to decrease the sheet resistance down to 30 Ohm/sq and treated with PEDOT:PSS to make it compatible with the typical solution processing of this photovoltaic technology. The functionalized graphene has been applied as cathode in inverted polymer solar cells fabricated by spray coating the active layer and the transport layers. A significant power conversion efficiency of 3.1% has been achieved, not far from the reference ITO-based cells. All the process has been carried out by using commercial materials and industry-compatible solvents. Moreover, the preliminary results on the first application of graphene electrode in a module are reported. The active area of the module is 1.6 cm2. The electrical functionality of the module demonstrates the high quality of graphene over relatively large area and, combined with the spray technique used for the deposition of the layers, shows the potential for a real ITO-free scale-up of organic photovoltaics.
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Organo-metal halide perovskite demonstrates a large potential for achieving highly efficient photovoltaic devices. The scaling-up process represents one of the major challenges to exploit this ...technology at the industrial level. Here, the scaling-up of perovskite solar modules from 5 × 5 to 10 × 10 cm2 substrate area is reported by blade coating both the CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite and spiro-OMeTAD layers. The sequential deposition approach is used in which both lead iodide (PbI2) deposition and the conversion step are optimized by using additives. The PbI2 solution is modified by adding methylammonium iodide (MAI) which improves perovskite crystallinity and pore filling of the mesoporous TiO2 scaffold. Optimization of the conversion step is achieved by adding a small concentration of water into the MAI-based solution, producing large cubic CH3NH3PbI3 grains. The combination of the two modifications leads to a power conversion efficiency of 14.7% on a perovskite solar module with an active area of 47 cm2.
Planar perovskite solar cells and modules were realized by using low temperature solution-process fabrication procedures. The photovoltaic performance was improved by optimizing a SnO2 electron ...transport layer and its interface with the perovskite layer. We achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.3% on small area cell (0.09 cm2) with negligible hysteresis and a steady-state PCE equal to 17.4%. Furthermore, shelf life tests showed a relative decrease of only 5% in PCE from its initial value after 1000 h of storage in dark conditions in air (RH 20%). Up-scaling of the technology was implemented entirely in air with fabrication of modules with a high aperture ratio of 91%. The modules delivered a maximum PCE of 13.1% obtained on an active area of 13.8 cm2 and of 11.9% on an aperture area of 15.2 cm2 representing state of art performance for fully low temperature solution processed planar perovskite solar modules.
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•Low-temperature full solution process planar PSCs and PSMs.•13.1% PCE on active area (14 cm2) is obtained.•91% full laser processing aperture ratio.•Devices entirely fabricated in air (Relative humidity = 40%).•Deposition of HTL via blade coating.
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