• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.471.2-471.2
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• 2014

We demonstrate here that an improvement in precursor film density (green density) leads to a great enhancement in the photovoltaic performance of CuInSe2 (CISe) thin film solar cells fabricated with Cu-In nanoparticle precursor films via chemical solution deposition. A cold-isostatic pressing (CIP) technique was applied to uniformly compress the precursor film over the entire surface (measuring 3~4 cm2) and was found to increase its relative density (particle packing density) by ca. 20%, which resulted in an appreciable improvement in the microstructural features of the sintered CISe film in terms of lower porosity, reduced grain boundaries, and a more uniform surface morphology. The low-bandgap (Eg=1.0 eV) CISe PV devices with the CIP-treated film exhibited greatly enhanced open-circuit voltage (VOC, from 0.265 V to 0.413 V) and fill factor (FF, from 0.34 to 0.55), as compared to the control devices. As a consequence, an almost 3-fold increase in the average power conversion efficiency, 3.0 to 8.2% (with the highest value of 9.02%), was realized without an anti-reflection coating. A diode analysis revealed that the enhanced VOC and FF were essentially attributed to the reduced reverse saturation current density (j0) and diode ideality factor (n). This is associated with the suppressed recombination, likely due to the reduction in recombination sites such as grain/air surfaces (pores), inter-granular interfaces, and defective CISe/CdS junctions in the CIP-treated device. From the temperature dependences of VOC, it was confirmed that the CIP-treated devices suffer less from interface recombination.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.85-90
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• 2015

Two-step processes for preparing $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ absorber layers consist of precursor layer formation and subsequent annealing in a Se-containing atmosphere. Among the various deposition methods for precursor layer, the nonvacuum (wet) processes have been spotlighted as alternatives to vacuum-based methods due to their potential to realize low-cost, scalable PV devices. However, due to its porous nature, the precursor layer deposited on Mo substrate by nonvacuum methods often suffers from thick $MoSe_2$ formation during selenization under a high Se vapor pressure. On the contrary, selenization under a low Se pressure to avoid $MoSe_2$ formation typically leads to low crystal quality of absorber films. Although TiN has been reported as a diffusion barrier against Se, the additional sputtering to deposit TiN layer may induce the complexity of fabrication process and nullify the advantages of nonvacuum deposition of absorber film. In this work, Mo oxide layers via thermal oxidation of Mo substrate have been explored as an alternative diffusion barrier. The morphology and phase evolution was examined as a function of oxidation temperature. The resulting Mo/Mo oxides double layers were employed as a back contact electrode for $CuInSe_2$ solar cells and were found to effectively suppress the formation of $MoSe_2$ layer.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.291-296
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• 2011

This paper presents energy self-sufficiency simulated in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by adopting solar energy production systems that vary with installation conditions. Relative to the national average energy consumption in WWTPs, the employment of 100 kW photovoltaics (PVs) was simulated to achieve 2.75% of energy self-sufficiency. The simulated results suggested that the installation of PVs toward South or South west would produce the highest energy self-sufficiency in WWTPs. When super-hydrophilic coating was employed in the conventional PVs, 5% of additional solar energy production was achievable as compared to uncoated conventional PVs. When 100 kW of PVs were installed in a future test-bed site, Kihyeung Respida located in Yougin, Sourth Korea, the energy self-sufficiency by solar energy was simulated to be 1.77% (2010). The simulated energy self-sufficiency by azimuth(direction) will be useful reference for practitioners in designing the solar PV systems in the WWTPs.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2018

For the preliminary step for estimating the performance of roof-type photovoltaic system in urban areas, we analyzed the solar radiation reduction ratio by shadow effect by buildings using DSM (Digital Surface Model) and GIS (Geographical Information System) tools. An average loss by the shadow is about 19% in Seoul. The result was related to the building density and distribution. Monthly results show that the winter season (December and January) was more affected by the shading than during the summer season (June and July). It is expected that useful empirical formulas can be made if more detailed correlation studies are performed.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.33-43
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• 2019

In this study, reflecting long-term climate characteristics, we analyzed electricity generation and generation characteristics of 3kWp PV system, which was semi-integrated with air duct behind. Using PVsyst as a simulation analysis tool, we inputted "National reference standard weather data" of 16 regions as a typical climatic data. The result is summarized as follows: First, the national average annual electricity generation was 1,312 kWh/kWp (StDev, ${\sigma}=71$). It was most abundant in Mokpo with 1,434 kWh/kWp, which was average 21% greater than the lowest with 1,165 kWh/kWp in Seoul and 1,197 kWh/kWp in Jeju. National average daily generating time based on STC was 3.6 hours (${\sigma}=0.43$), and that of Mokpo and Seoul was 3.9 and 3.2 hours respectively. Second, Jeju showed the great difference of annual monthly generation by month (annual average = 99.7 kWh/kWp, ${\sigma}=25.5$), while Jinju showed the smallest difference (annual average = 115.5 kWh/kWp, ${\sigma}=10.6$). Generation in Jeju was at the largest in April with 132.2 kWh/kWp, which was 2.3 times greater than the lowest 55.2 kWh/kWp in January. However, generation in Jinju was at the largest in March with 129.3 kWh/kWp, which was only 1.3 times greater than the lowest 101.1 kWh/kWp in June. Third, the annual average PR was the highest in Incheon with 85.8% and the lowest in Jeju with 83.2%. PR of Mokpo was 84.3%, which was lower than that of national average.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.697-702
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• 2019

In this study, using a wet chemical process, we evaluate the effectiveness of different solution concentrations in removing layers from a solar cell, which is necessary for recovery of high-purity silicon. A 4-step wet etching process is applied to a 6-inch back surface field(BSF) solar cell. The metal electrode is removed in the first and second steps of the process, and the anti-reflection coating(ARC) is removed in the third step. In the fourth step, high purity silicon is recovered by simultaneously removing the emitter and the BSF layer from the solar cell. It is confirmed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy(ICP-MS) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy(SIMS) analyses that the effectiveness of layer removal increases with increasing chemical concentrations. The purity of silicon recovered through the process, using the optimal concentration for each process, is analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy(ICP-AES). In addition, the silicon wafer is recovered through optimum etching conditions for silicon recovery, and the solar cell is remanufactured using this recovered silicon wafer. The efficiency of the remanufactured solar cell is very similar to that of a commercial wafer-based solar cell, and sufficient for use in the PV industry.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.110-114
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• 2021

In this study, we fabricated light-weight solar module for various applications such as building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), vehicles, trains, etc. Ethylene tetra fluoro ethylene (ETFE) film was applied as a material to replace the cover glass, which occupies more than 65% of the weight of the PV module. Glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) was applied to the ones with a low durability by replacing the cover glass to ETFE. Moreover, to achieve a high solar power conversion in this study, we applied a shingled design to weight reduced solar modules. The shingled module with GRP shows 183.7 W of solar-to-power conversion, and the output reduction rate after weight load test was 1.14%.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.114-119
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• 2020

In this study, Mitigation of Potential-induced degradation (PID) for PERC solar cells using SiO2 Structure of ARC layer. The conventional PID test was conducted with a cell-level test based on the IEC-62804 test standard, but a copper PID test device was manufactured to increase the PID detection rate. The accelerated aging test was conducted by maintaining 96 hours with a potential difference of 1000 V at a temperature of 60℃. As a result, the PERC solar cell of SiO2-Free ARC structure decreased 22.11% compared to the initial efficiency, and the PERC solar cell of the Upper-SiO2 ARC structure decreased 30.78% of the initial efficiency and the PID reliability was not good. However, the PERC solar cell with the lower-SiO2 ARC structure reduced only 2.44%, effectively mitigating the degradation of PID. Na+ ions in the cover glass generate PID on the surface of the PERC solar cell. In order to prevent PID, the structure of SiNx and SiO2 thin films of the ARC layer is important. SiO2 thin film must be deposited on bottom of ARC layer and the surface of the PERC solar cell N-type emitter to prevent surface recombination and stacking fault defects of the PERC solar cell and mitigated PID degradation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.21-30
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• 2022

Renewable energy systems aim to achieve carbon neutrality and replace fossil fuels. Photovoltaic technologies are the most widely used renewable energy. However, they require a large operating area, thereby decreasing available farmland. Accordingly, agrivoltaic systems (AVSs)-innovative smart farm technologies that utilize solar energy for crop growth and electricity production-are attracting attention. Although several empirical studies on these systems have been conducted, comprehensive research on their design is lacking, and no standard model suitable for South Korea has been developed. Therefore, this study created an integral design of AVS reflecting domestic crop cultivation conditions and conducted a structural analysis for safety assessment. The shading ratio, planting distance, and agricultural machinery work of the system were determined. In addition, national construction standards were applied to evaluate their structural safety using a finite element analysis. Through this, the safety of this system was ensured, and structural considerations were put forward. It is expected that the AVS model will allow for a stable utilization of renewable energy and smart farm technologies in rural areas.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2023

In this paper, a machine learning model by using a regression algorithm is proposed to estimate the power generation performance of the BIPV system. The physical model formula for estimating the generation performance and the proposed model were compared and analyzed. For the physical model formula, simple efficiency model, temperature correction model, and regressive physics model for changing an irradiance were used. As a result, when comparing the regressive physics model for changing an irradiance and the proposed model with the actual generation measured data, the respective RMSE values are 0.1497 kW, 0.0451 kW and the accuracy values are 86.44%, and 96.56%. Therefore, the proposed model implemented in this experiment can be useful in estimating power generation.