A Nickel oxide (NiO_x) thin films were prepared via sol-gel process on a transparent conductive oxide glass substrate. The NiO_x thin films were spin-coated in ambient air and subsequently annealed for 30 minutes at temperatures ranging from 150℃ to 450℃. The structural and optical characteristics of the NiO_x thin films annealed at various temperatures were measured using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. After optimizing the NiO_x coating conditions, perovskite solar cells were fabricated with p-i-n inverted structure, and its photovoltaic performance was evaluated. NiO_x thin films annealed at 350℃ exhibited the most favorable characteristics as a hole transport layer, resulting in the highest power conversion efficiency of 17.88 % when fabricating inverted perovskite solar cells using this film.

Pressure to reduce costs in the current solar market is driving the development and implementation of new module designs and prompting the use of new materials and components. In order to utilize the variability of each material that makes up the module, it is essential to understand the basic characteristics of the material. In this article, we evaluate light degradation after UV irradiation as an encapsulation material. Measure and analyze the results of various characteristic tests for discoloration, optical and electrical property degradation before and after UV accelerated testing. To evaluate weathering stability, UV tests were performed comparing existing EVA and UVT-EVA, POE and improved low-cost POE. Even in the weather resistance test with a total UV exposure of 60 kW/m², the properties of the encapsulants were mostly stable. EVA and POE-based encapsulants showed slight differences, and these slight differences are believed to pose a threat to long-term stability. This study is a basic analysis of encapsulation research for PV modules and will be helpful in understanding future development and encapsulant properties.

Transparent Photovoltaic (PV) modules have recently been in the spotlight because they can be applied to buildings and vehicles. However, crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar modules, which account for about 90% of the PV module market, have the disadvantage of applying transparent PV modules due to their unique opacity. Recently, a see-through type PV module using a crystalline silicon solar strap has been developed. However, there is a problem due to a decrease in aesthetics due to the metal ribbon in the center of the see-through type PV module and difficulty bonding the metal ribbon due to the low voltage output of the strap. In this study, to solve this problem, we developed a fabrication process of series connected c-Si solar strap cells using the c-Si solar cells. We succeeded in fabricating a series connected strap with a width of 2-10 mm, and we plan to manufacture an aesthetic see-through type c-Si PV module.

The main cause of solar facility fires is arc, and in the last 3 years ('16 to '18), about 80% of domestic solar facility fires have been caused by arcs. The capacity of solar power facilities installed around the world continues to increase, and fires caused by arcs are also expected to increase as the solar power generation facilities that were initially installed become obsolete, In this paper, an arc generation test was conducted based on the UL1699B test standard. As a result of the test, the arc generation satisfied the minimum arc current according to the test conditions, and DC arc characteristics were analyzed through data such as arc voltage and arc current according to variables such as speed of moving electrodes and electrode spacing.

In order to deploy the large-scale energy storage (ES) service in the various industry, it is very important to develop a business model with high technological and economic feasibility through detailed valuation of cost and expected benefits. In relation to this, this paper established an optimal scheduling plan for electric vehicle charging stations connected with photovoltaic (PV) and ES technologies in Korea using the distributed energy resource valuation tool and analyzed the feasibility of the project. In addition, the impact of incentives such as REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) to be given to electric vehicle charging stations in accordance with the relevant laws to be revised in the future was analyzed. As a results, the methodology presented in this paper are expected to be used in various ways to analyze the feasibility of various business models linked to renewable energy and ES technologies as well as the electric vehicle market.

Efforts are being made to respond to global warming. Interest in and demand for the private sector-led RE100 campaign is also increasing. Self-built solar power generation, one of the implementation tools for RE100, is not expanding. However, it can be an economical means of implementation in the long run. In this study, we intend to analyze the impact on the optimal ratio of self-solar power generation using HOMER simulation. OPR defines the optimal solar power generation ratio and looks into what changes there are in the optimal solar power ratio when self-power consumption increases and external power purchase price changes. As a result, the optimal rate of self-solar power generation has a low impact even if self-power consumption increases. As the external power unit price increases, the optimal ratio increases, and at a power unit price of 100 KRW/kWh, OPR is 24%; at 200 KRW/kWh OPR is 31%; and at 300 KRW/kWh OPR is 34%. This shows that the electricity price replaced during the life cycle has a high impact on the economic feasibility of solar power generation. However, when the external power unit price reached a certain level, the increase in OPR decreased. This shows that it is difficult for domestic companies to achieve RE100 based on the economic feasibility of solar energy alone. Therefore, efforts are needed to supply renewable energy in the public sector.