• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

Most PV modules are fabricated by 6 cell-strings with solar cells connected in series. Moreover, bypass diodes are generally installed every 2 cell-strings to prevent PV modules from a damage induced by current mismatch or partial shading. But, in the case of special purpose PV module, like as BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic), the number of cell-strings per module varies according to its size. Differ from a module employing even cell-strings, the configuration of bypass diode should be optimized in the PV module with odd strings because of oppositely facing electrodes. Hence, in this study, electrical characteristics of special purposed PV module with odd string was empirically and theoretically studied depending on arrangement of bypass diode. Here, we assumed that PV module has 3 strings and the number of bypass diodes in the system varies from 2 to 6. In case of 2 bypass diodes, shading on a center string increases short circuit current of the module, because of a parallel circuit induced by 2 bypass diodes connected to center string. Also, the loss is larger, as the shading area in the center string is enlarged. Thus, maximum power of the PV module with 2 bypass diode decreases by up to 59 (%) when shading area varies from 50 to 90 (%). On the other hand, In case of 3 and 6 bypass diodes, the maximum power reduction was within about 3 (W), even the shading area changes from 50 to 90 (%). As a result, It is an alternative to arrange the bypass diode by each string or one bypass diode in the PV module in order to completely bypass current in case of shading, when PV module with odd string are fabricated.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.182-187
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• 2018

In this study, 20.8% of a p-type Si bifacial solar cell was used to develop a photovoltaic (PV) module to obtain the maximum power under a limited installation area. The transparent back sheet material was replaced during fabrication with a white one, which is opaque in commercial products. This is very beneficial for the generation of more electricity, owing to the additional power generation via absorption of light from the rear side. A new model is suggested herein to predict the power of the bifacial PV module by considering the backside reflections from the roof and/or environment. This model considers not only the frontside reflection, but also the nonuniformity of the backside light sources. Theoretical predictions were compared to experimental data to prove the validity of this model, the error range for which ranged from 0.32% to 8.49%. Especially, under $700W/m^2$, the error rate was as low as 2.25%. This work could provide theoretical and experimental bases for application to a distributed and microgrid network.

• Transactions of the KSME C: Technology and Education
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2014

In this paper new air-cooling system utilizing Stirling engine was proposed for improving efficiency in solar photovoltaic power generation. The solar cell plate was equipped with semi-circular channel for air flow on the backside. Beta-type Stirling engine was installed on the plate and its flywheel was connected to a motor fan by a transmission belt. A forced convective air flow for heat radiation was generated by the operation of the self-starting Stirling engine. The performance tests for power generation of solar cell with or without the proposed air-cooling system were conducted under halogen lamp. From the experimental results, it was found that decline in output voltage of the solar cell with proposed cooling system was 25% less than that of the solar cell without cooling system.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.32 no.spc3
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• pp.194-198
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• 2012

Crystalline silicon solar cell remains the major player in the photovoltaic marketplace with 80% of the market, despite the development of various thin film technologies. Silicon's excellent efficiency, stability, material abundance and low toxicity have helped to maintain its position of dominance. However, the cost of silicon materials remains a major barrier to reducing the cost of silicon photovoltaics. Using the crystalline silicon wafer with thinner thickness is the promising way for cost and material reduction in the solar cell production. However, the thinner the silicon wafer is, the worse bow phenomenon is induced. The bow phenomenon is observed when two or more layers of materials with different temperature expansion coefficiencies are in contact, in this case silicon and aluminum. In this paper, the solar cells were fabricated with different thicknesses of Al layer in order to reduce the bow phenomenon. With less amount of paste applications, we observed that the bow could be reduced by up to 40% of the largest value with 120 micron thickness of the wafer even though the conversion efficiency decrease by 0.5% occurred. Since the bowed wafers lead to unacceptable yield losses during the module construction, the reduction of bow is indispensable on thin crystalline silicon solar cell. In this work, we have studied on the counterbalance between the bow and conversion efficiency and also suggest the formation of enough back surface field (BSF) with thinner Al layer application.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.119-123
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• 2013

Most of the world's solar cells in photovoltaic industry are currently fabricated using crystalline silicon. Czochralski-grown silicon crystals are more expensive than multicrystalline silicon crystals. The future of solar-grade Czochralski-grown silicon crystals crucially depends on whether it is usable for the mass-production of high-efficiency solar cells or not. It is generally believed that the main obstacle for making solar-grade Czochralski-grown silicon crystals a perfect high-efficiency solar cell material is presently light-induced degradation problem. In this work, the substitution of boron with gallium in p-type silicon single crystal is studied as an alternative to reduce the extent of lifetime degradation. The diamond-wire sawing technology is employed to slice the silicon ingot. In this paper, the quality of the diamond wire-sawn gallium-doped silicon wafers is studied from the chemical, electrical and structural points of view. It is found that the characteristic of gallium-doped silicon wafers including texturing behavior and surface metallic impurities are same as that of conventional boron-doped Czochralski crystals.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.140-144
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• 2017

$CuSbS_2$ (CAS) and $CuSbSe_2$ (CASe) nanocrystals (NCs), which consist of earth-abundant elements, were synthesized by a mechanochemical method. Elemental precursors such as copper, antimony, sulfur, and selenium were used without adding any organic solvents or additives. The NCs were synthesized by milling for a few hours. The sudden phase changes occurred by self-ignition and propagation, as previously observed in other mechanochemical synthetic processes. The XRD, Raman, and TEM analysis were carried out to determine the crystallinity and secondary phase of the as-synthesized CAS and CASe NCs, confirming the phase-pure synthesis of CAS and CASe. Optical properties were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and it was observed that the band gap energies were about 1.1 and 1.5 eV, respectively for CAS and CASe, suggesting the potential for the use as solar cell materials. The NC colloids dispersed in anhydrous ethanol were prepared and coated on Mo substrates by a facile doctor-blade method. The investigation on the solar cell properties of the as-synthesized materials is underway.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.33-37
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• 2019

In this paper, we compared the performance of $Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)_2$ (CIGSSe) thin film solar cell with CdS buffer layer deposited by irradiating 365 nm UV light with 8 W power in Chemcial Bath Deposition (CBD) process. The effects of UV light irradiation on the thin film deposition mechanism during CBD-CdS thin film deposition were investigated through chemical and electro-optical studies. If the UV light is irradiated during the solution process, the hydrolysis of Thiourea is promoted even during the same time, thereby inhibiting the formation of the intermediate products developed in the reaction pathway and decreasing the pH of the solution. As a result, it is suggested that the efficiency of the CdS/CIGSSe solar cell is increased because the ratio of the S element in the CdS thin film increases and the proportion of the O element decreases. This is a very simple and effective approach to control the S/O ratio of the CdS thin film by the CBD process without artificially controlling the process temperature, solution pH or concentration.

• Journal of KIBIM
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.19-29
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• 2019

Currently, BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic) design technology lacks analysis function at the planning stage, and there is a lack of understanding and reliability of BIPV design method and system for building designers. To design and consider various building integrated solar design alternatives, the color of building integrated solar is often monotonous or does not match the design direction of the building. In this study, architectural designers can select various color modules in the planning and design process of the building and analyze the characteristics of color module solar cells and compare and analyze the actual solar radiation and predicted solar radiation in Republic ofKorea Seoul to reduce the confusion of design methods. By building a BIM design integrated system that can prove the quality of the building and analyze the shading analysis and power generation performance architecturally, it can improve the reliability of color module solar cell applicability that can express aesthetics in buildings and the predicted solar power generation capacity of each region. In the initial design stage, based on the empirical data of the BIPV system, it is possible to analyze the power generation performance for each installation angle and installation direction by analyzing the surrounding environment and the installation area, and accurately determine the appropriateness of the design accordingly.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.279-286
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• 2018

The use of eco-friendly energy in the offshore plant system is expanding because conventional generators are operated by fossil fuel or natural gas. Eco-friendly energy, which replaces existing power generation methods, should be capable of generating the power for lighting protection equipment, airborne fault indication, parameter measurement, and others. Most of the eco-friendly energy used in offshore plant facilities is solar and wind power. In the case of using photovoltaic power, because the structure must be constructed based as flat solar panels, it can be damaged easily by the wind. Therefore, there is a need for a new generation system composed of a spherical structure that does not require a separate structure and is less influenced by the wind. Considering these characteristics, in this study we designed, fabricated, and tested a unit that could provide the most efficient spherical photovoltaic power generation considering wind direction and wind pressure. Our test results indicated that the proposed system reduced costs because it did not require any separate structure, used eco-friendly energy, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and expanded the proportion of eco-friendly energy use by offshore plant facilities.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.119-123
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• 2016

We discussed various cover glass substrates available for photovoltaic (PV) modules, and investigated the fabrication methods of light trapping structures for the efficiency enhancement of PV modules: wet and dry etching or laser and direct patternings. We also introduced the analysis of haze at etched glass surfaces as a function of wavelength and also presented a anti-reflection coating technology for PV module.