Esta tese propõe uma metodologia para avaliar o emprego de técnicas de seleção e conversão da radiação solar para aumentar a produção de energia elétrica de células fotovoltaicas. Foi feita uma revisão dos mecanismos fotovoltaicos para produção de energia elétrica e os entraves para aumentar sua eficiência, em especial os impactos da temperatura e da absorção do espectro solar. Uma metodologia foi criada para definir um filtro óptico ótimo a ser utilizado em uma região na presença ou não de conversão do espectro, através de simulações computacionais, que define a faixa do espectro solar que deve ser absorvida pela célula para se ter o melhor equilíbrio entre absorção e aquecimento. Um modelo matemático foi criado e implementado computacionalmente, para calcular a produção de energia de um módulo fotovoltaico, em uma dada região com ou sem a aplicação de técnicas de conversão e seleção da radiação solar. Através de um estudo de caso com dados da cidade de Petrolina, PE, Brasil, concluiu-se que o ganho esperado para utilização de um filtro óptico que reflete ondas de comprimento superiores a 1000 nm é cerca de 1% da energia gerada. Ensaios empíricos permitiram validar a metodologia proposta, comparando os dados reais com os dados teóricos obtidos pelas simulações do modelo matemático. Após a calibração do modelo matemático, verificou-se que os resultados de potência instantânea calculados com o modelo matemático variavam cerca de 5% tanto para o módulo com filtro quanto para o módulo sem filtro. Para contornar a restrição construtiva do filtro óptico e verificar outros ganhos possíveis são propostos experimentos com compostos de conversão de radiação solar associados com filtros ópticos para seleção da radiação solar. Com isto, espera-se aumentar significativamente a produção de energia elétrica de células fotovoltaicas de Silício cristalino. / This thesis proposes a methodology to evaluate the use of solar radiation selection and conversion techniques to increase the production of electric energy of photovoltaic solar cells. A review of the photovoltaic mechanisms for the production of electrical energy and the obstacles to increase its efficiency, especially the impacts of temperature and the absorption of the solar spectrum was done. A methodology was developed to define an optimal optical filter to be used in a region in the presence or not of solar spectrum conversion, through computational simulations, which defines the range of the solar radiation that must be absorbed by the cell in order to have the best balance between absorption and heating. A mathematical model was created and implemented computationally to calculate the energy production of a photovoltaic module in a given region with or without the application of solar radiation conversion and selection techniques. A case study with data from the city of Petrolina, PE, Brazil, concluded that the expected gain for the use of an optical filter that reflects wavelengths above 1000 nm is about 1% of the power generated. Empirical tests allowed validating the proposed methodology comparing the actual data with the theoretical data obtained by the simulations of the mathematical model. After calibration of the mathematical model, it was verified that the instantaneous power results calculated with the mathematical model vary about 5% for both the filter module and the unfiltered module. To avoid the constructive constraint of the optical filter and to verify other possible gains are proposed experiments with solar radiation conversion compounds associated with optical filters to select the solar radiation. With this, it is expected to significantly increase the electricity production of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells.

Esta tese propõe uma metodologia para avaliar o emprego de técnicas de seleção e conversão da radiação solar para aumentar a produção de energia elétrica de células fotovoltaicas. Foi feita uma revisão dos mecanismos fotovoltaicos para produção de energia elétrica e os entraves para aumentar sua eficiência, em especial os impactos da temperatura e da absorção do espectro solar. Uma metodologia foi criada para definir um filtro óptico ótimo a ser utilizado em uma região na presença ou não de conversão do espectro, através de simulações computacionais, que define a faixa do espectro solar que deve ser absorvida pela célula para se ter o melhor equilíbrio entre absorção e aquecimento. Um modelo matemático foi criado e implementado computacionalmente, para calcular a produção de energia de um módulo fotovoltaico, em uma dada região com ou sem a aplicação de técnicas de conversão e seleção da radiação solar. Através de um estudo de caso com dados da cidade de Petrolina, PE, Brasil, concluiu-se que o ganho esperado para utilização de um filtro óptico que reflete ondas de comprimento superiores a 1000 nm é cerca de 1% da energia gerada. Ensaios empíricos permitiram validar a metodologia proposta, comparando os dados reais com os dados teóricos obtidos pelas simulações do modelo matemático. Após a calibração do modelo matemático, verificou-se que os resultados de potência instantânea calculados com o modelo matemático variavam cerca de 5% tanto para o módulo com filtro quanto para o módulo sem filtro. Para contornar a restrição construtiva do filtro óptico e verificar outros ganhos possíveis são propostos experimentos com compostos de conversão de radiação solar associados com filtros ópticos para seleção da radiação solar. Com isto, espera-se aumentar significativamente a produção de energia elétrica de células fotovoltaicas de Silício cristalino. / This thesis proposes a methodology to evaluate the use of solar radiation selection and conversion techniques to increase the production of electric energy of photovoltaic solar cells. A review of the photovoltaic mechanisms for the production of electrical energy and the obstacles to increase its efficiency, especially the impacts of temperature and the absorption of the solar spectrum was done. A methodology was developed to define an optimal optical filter to be used in a region in the presence or not of solar spectrum conversion, through computational simulations, which defines the range of the solar radiation that must be absorbed by the cell in order to have the best balance between absorption and heating. A mathematical model was created and implemented computationally to calculate the energy production of a photovoltaic module in a given region with or without the application of solar radiation conversion and selection techniques. A case study with data from the city of Petrolina, PE, Brazil, concluded that the expected gain for the use of an optical filter that reflects wavelengths above 1000 nm is about 1% of the power generated. Empirical tests allowed validating the proposed methodology comparing the actual data with the theoretical data obtained by the simulations of the mathematical model. After calibration of the mathematical model, it was verified that the instantaneous power results calculated with the mathematical model vary about 5% for both the filter module and the unfiltered module. To avoid the constructive constraint of the optical filter and to verify other possible gains are proposed experiments with solar radiation conversion compounds associated with optical filters to select the solar radiation. With this, it is expected to significantly increase the electricity production of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells.

La thèse porte sur l’étude des verres d’encapsulation pour des cellules solaires en silicium monocristallin. Deux pistes ont été explorées pour réduire les pertes d’efficacité dues à l’encapsulation : la réduction de la réflexion de verres à base de silice avec des couches antireflets ainsi que l’utilisation de verres fluorés dopés terres rares à conversion de fréquence. Dans le premier cas, des couches antireflets ont été déposées sur des verres à base de silice par la méthode sol-gel. Les caractérisations optiques des verres ont été réalisées par spectrophotométrie et ellipsométrie et l’influence des différents verres sur les caractéristiques densité de courant-tension (J-V) ont été testées sous simulateur solaire dans des conditions standards (AM1.5 et 100 mW/cm2) pour une ou plusieurs cellules de référence. Une autre piste explorée a été celle des verres fluorés dopés terres rares ayant des propriétés de conversion de fréquence (conversion de photons non absorbés vers une énergie proche du gap optique du silicium). Des matrices fluorées de type ZBLA et ZLAG dopées terres rares (Pr3+, Tm3+, Yb3+) ont été utilisées. L’influence du dopage sur les performances électriques des cellules encapsulées a été étudiée en corrélation avec les propriétés physiques et optiques (transfert d’énergie, photoluminescence, transmittance) des verres. Le bénéfice de la conversion de fréquence a pour la première fois été montrée sur les caractéristiques J-V pour des échantillons co-dopés Pr3+-Yb3+. De plus, les caractéristiques des cellules de référence en utilisant ces nouveaux verres d’encapsulation ont été comparées à celles des verres utilisés habituellement dans l’industrie. / The thesis studies the encapsulation glass for monocrystalline silicon solar cells. Two ways were explored to reduce the efficiency loss due to encapsulation: reducing reflection losses of silica based glasses with antireflection layers and the use of rareearth- doped fluoride glass for frequency conversion. On the one hand, antireflection layers have been deposited on the silica glass by sol-gel method. The optical characterizations were carried out by spectrophotometry and ellipsometry and the influence of different encapsulation glasses on the current density-voltage characteristics (J-V) were measured under solar simulator irradiation in standard conditions (AM1.5 and 100 mW/cm2) for various reference cells. On the other hand, the rare-earth-doped fluoride glasses which they can convert frequencies in order to change the energy of photons to energies adapted to the optical gap of the silicon has been investigated. The glasses used are fluorinated matrix ZLAG and ZBLA doped with rareearth elements (Pr3+, Tm3+, Yb3+). The effect of doping on the electrical performance of encapsulated cells was studied correlated with physical and optical properties of glasses (energy transfer, luminescence, transmittance). Frequency conversion was demonstrated by luminescence for all of the rare-earth-doped samples. Then the most promising results for encapsulating was found for codoped Yb3+-Pr3+ ZBLA glass. The benefit of the frequency conversion was shown for the first time in J-V characteristics. Then, characteristics of the reference cells with these new encapsulating glasses were compared to those from glasses commonly used in the photovoltaic modules industry

Ce travail a pour but de comprendre l’effet de la compensation du dopage sur les performances des cellules photovoltaïques à base de silicium de qualité solaire purifié par voie métallurgique. Après avoir développé la physique des matériaux compensés, l’influence de la compensation a été étudiée à l’échelle de la plaquette. Nous avons mis en évidence une forte réduction non prédite de la mobilité des porteurs. Au contraire, la compensation du dopage s’est avérée bénéfique à la durée de vie volumique. Nous avons précisé les propriétés recombinantes des dopants. L’étude a été transposée à l’échelle de la cellule. Des rendements de 16% ont été obtenus sur des cellules fortement dopées et compensées. La présence de nombreuses associations entre impuretés dopantes et défauts nous a conduits à l’élaboration d’un algorithme permettant de simuler la cinétique de ce type d’association. Enfin, deux techniques innovantes de mesure des teneurs en dopants et en oxygène interstitiel ont été présentées. / This study aims at understanding the influence of the dopant compensation on the performances of solar cells based on solar-grade silicon purified via metallurgical routes. We first detailed the physics of compensated semiconductors. The compensation effects were then studied at the wafer level. We found a sharp unpredicted reduction in carrier mobility at high compensation level. Conversely, the dopant compensation was shown to be very beneficial to the carrier lifetime. We specified the recombination properties of dopants. We then focused on the compensation effects at the solar cell level. We obtained conversion efficiencies of 16% on highly doped and compensated solar cells, revealing the photovoltaic potential of solar-grade silicon. Since numerous association reactions occur between dopants and defects, we built an algorithm in order to simulate the association kinetics of such reactions. Eventually, we presented two innovative characterisation techniques that allow the concentrations of dopants and light elements to be measured.

La réduction des recombinaisons aux surfaces des cellules solaires est un enjeu fondamental pour l'industrie photovoltaïque. La passivation des défauts électriques en surface peut être obtenue par la formation de liaisons chimiques ou par l'apport de charges électriques capables de repousser un type de porteurs. Ces effets peuvent être obtenus grâce à des couches minces fonctionnalisées déposées sur les surfaces des matériaux qui constituent les cellules. Dans le cadre de cette thèse nous avons étudié la passivation de surface du silicium par des couches minces d’Al2O3 déposées par ALD. La caractérisation physique, optique, structurale et chimique des couches déposées a été réalisée. Une optimisation du procédé d’élaboration (nettoyage pré dépôt, paramètres de dépôt et de recuit) de couches d’alumine a été nécessaire pour répondre aux exigences de la réduction de recombinaisons de surface et obtenir des résultats de passivation optimisés. Enfin, différentes briques technologiques nécessaires à l’intégration de ces couches dans l’architecture d’une cellule solaire silicium ont été étudiées et développées. / The reduction of recombination at the surfaces of solar cells is a fundamental challenge for the photovoltaic industry. Passivation of surface electrical defects can be achieved by the formation of chemical bonds or by the supply of electric charges capable of repelling a type of carrier. These effects can be obtained by means of functionalized thin layers deposited on the surfaces of the materials which constitute the cells. In this thesis we studied the surface passivation of silicon by thin layers of Al2O3 deposited by ALD. The physical, optical, structural and chemical characterization of the deposited layers was carried out. An optimization of the preparation process (pre-deposition cleaning, deposition and annealing parameters) of alumina layers was necessary to meet the requirements of reduction of surface recombinations and to obtain optimized passivation results. Finally, various technological bricks necessary for the integration of these layers in the architecture of a silicon solar cell have been studied and developed.

This thesis focuses on the effects of dopant compensation on the electrical properties of crystalline silicon relevant to the operation of solar cells. We show that the control of the net dopant density, which is essential to the fabrication of high-efficiency solar cells, is very challenging in ingots crystallized with silicon feedstock containing both boron and phosphorus such as upgraded metallurgical-grade silicon. This is because of the strong segregation of phosphorus which induces large net dopant density variations along directionally solidified silicon crystals. To overcome this issue, we propose to use gallium co-doping during crystallization, and demonstrate its potential to control the net dopant density along p-type and n-type silicon ingots grown with silicon containing boron and phosphorus. The characteristics of the resulting highly-compensated material are identified to be: a strong impact of incomplete ionization of dopants on the majority carrier density, an important reduction of the mobility compared to theoretical models and a recombination lifetime which is determined by the net dopant density and dominated after long-term illumination by the boron-oxygen recombination centre. To allow accurate modelling of upgraded-metallurgical silicon solar cells, we propose a parameterization of these fundamental properties of compensated silicon. We study the light-induced lifetime degradation in p-type and n-type Si with a wide range of dopant concentrations and compensation levels and show that the boron-oxygen defect is a grown-in complex involving substitutional boron and is rendered electrically active upon injection of carriers through a charge-driven reconfiguration of the defect. Finally, we apply gallium co-doping to the crystallization of upgraded-metallurgical silicon and demonstrate that it allows to significantly increase the tolerance to phosphorus without compromising neither the ingot yield nor the solar cells performance before light-induced degradation.

O trabalho desta dissertação versou sobre avanços em tecnologias de eletrônica impressa de baixo custo. Em particular, aplicamos as técnicas de impressão por serigrafia e por jato de tinta para confeccionar dispositivos eletrônicos e optoeletrônicos. O primeiro dispositivo construído foi resistências impressas por jato de tinta tendo como matérias primas o poli(3,4-etileno dióxido tiofeno) com sulfonato de poliestireno (PEDOT:PSS) e nanopartículas de prata sobre substratos de vidro. Os valores das resistências foram analisados em se variando parâmetros de impressão. Como segundo dispositivo, imprimimos pela técnica de serigrafia sobre vidro e kapton, antenas de cartões de RFIDs (Radio-Frequency Identifications), também com os dois materiais: tinta de prata e PEDOT:PSS. Os RFIDs foram projetados para operar em frequências entre 860 MHz e 960 MHz. A antena de PEDOT:PSS mostrou alcance de 0,45 m, enquanto que a de tinta prata teve alcance de 1,6 m em 860 MHz e de 4 m em 960 MHz. Fabricamos também células eletroquímicas emissoras de luz (Organic Light Emitting Electrochemical Cells - OLECs), no qual substituímos o eletrodo transparente de óxido de índio (ITO), por um feito de PEDOT:PSS, aplicado por serigrafia sobre vidro. A camada ativa da célula luminescente foi feita por uma mistura de óxido de polietileno complexado com sal de lítio e um polímero luminescente derivado de polifluoreno que emite no verde. As curvas características de corrente e luminância em função da voltagem externa aplicada mostrou o bom desempenho das células fabricadas. Finalmente, produzimos células fotovoltaicas orgânicas, em que o eletrodo transparente, também de PEDOT:PSS, foi depositado por serigrafia sobre vidro. A camada ativa nesse caso foi um sistema bifásico feito de poli(3hexiltiofeno) (P3HT) e um éster, o [6,6]-fenil-C61-ácido metil-butírico (PCBM). Esse dispositivo apresentou um Fator de Preenchimento de 0,47 e uma eficiência externa de aproximadamente 2%. / The work developed along this thesis presents advances in printed electronic technologies of low cost. In particular we applied printable serigraphic and Inkjet technologies to produce electronic and optoelectronic devices. First, we produced resistances having poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and silver paint as active materials, using an Inkjet printer on glass substrate. We made studies of the resistance performance varying some printed parameters. Then, by serigraphy screen printing was printed, on substrates of kapton and glass, an antenna in an Radio-Frequency Identification card (RFID), also from PEDOT:PSS and from silver paint. This RFID was projected to operate in a frequency range from approximately 860 MHz to 960 MHz. The antenna made of PEDOT:PSS operated in a distance of 0.45 m, while that of silver varied from 1.6 m at 860 MHz to 4 m at 960 MHz. In an Organic Light Emitting Electrochemical Cell (OLEC) we applied one of the electrodes, a PEDOT:PSS layer, as a transparent electrode by serigraphy on glass substrate for made to replace of ITO. The active layer was a mixture of a poly(ethylene oxide) complexed with lithium salt and a derivative of polyfluorene that is a green emitter. The characteristic curves of current and luminance against the applied external voltage assured us the good performance of the device. Similar result was obtained with the performance of an organic photovoltaic (OPV), in which the active layer was a biphasic system made by poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), in which the transparent electrode (PEDOT:PSS) was also printed by serigraphy on glass substrate. In this device we obtained a Fill Factor of 0.47 and an external efficiency of almost 2%.

The Intelligent Algorithm is designed for theusing a Battery source. The main function is to automate the Hybrid System through anintelligent Algorithm so that it takes the decision according to the environmental conditionsfor utilizing the Photovoltaic/Solar Energy and in the absence of this, Fuel Cell energy isused. To enhance the performance of the Fuel Cell and Photovoltaic Cell we used batterybank which acts like a buffer and supply the current continuous to the load. To develop the main System whlogic based controller was used. Fuzzy Logic based controller used to develop this system,because they are chosen to be feasible for both controlling the decision process and predictingthe availability of the available energy on the basis of current Photovoltaic and Battery conditions. The Intelligent Algorithm is designed to optimize the performance of the system and to selectthe best available energy source(s) in regard of the input parameters. The enhance function of these Intelligent Controller is to predict the use of available energy resources and turn on thatparticular source for efficient energy utilization. A fuzzy controller was chosen to take thedecisions for the efficient energy utilization from the given resources. The fuzzy logic basedcontroller is designed in the Matlab-Simulink environment. Initially, the fuzzy based ruleswere built. Then MATLAB based simulation system was designed and implemented. Thenthis whole proposed model is simulated and tested for the accuracy of design and performanceof the system.

L´intérêt grandissant pour les bâtiments à haute efficacité énergétique nécessite le développement de nouveaux types d´enveloppe active et multifonctionnelle pouvant couvrir une partie des besoins énergétiques du bâtiment. Les travaux présentés dans cette thèse concernent le développement de capteurs hybrides solaires photovoltaïques thermique pour la production simultanée d´eau chaude sanitaire et d´électricité au sein d´un unique capteur. L’objectif de cette thèse a été dans un premier temps d´analyser la faisabilité et la complexité du concept de capteur hybrides PV-T. Puis, à partir d’un modèle numérique développé spécifiquement pour appuyer la phase de conception du capteur PV-T les raisons expliquant la limitation des performances de tels capteurs ont été analysées, pour enfin proposer différentes solutions innovantes, tant au niveau des cellules solaires que des matériaux du modules PV et du design du capteur final afin d´en augmenter les performances. L´approche développée est par conséquent multi-échelle allant de la prise en compte des phénomènes physiques pris isolément, des propriétés locales des matériaux jusqu’à la mise en œuvre d’un composant et à l´analyse énergétique et exergétique de ses performances dans un environnement numérique dédié au bâtiment. / In the context of greenhouse gas emissions and fossil and fissile resources depletion, solar energy is one of the most promising sources of power. The building sector is one of the biggest energy consumers after the transport and industrial sectors. Therefore, making use of a building’s envelope (façades and roofs) as solar collecting surfaces is a big challenge facing local building needs, specifically in regard to heat, electricity and cooling. However, available surfaces of a building with suitable orientation are always limited, and in many cases a conflict occurs between their use for either heat or electricity production. This is one of the reasons why the concept of a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) collector seems promising. PV-T collectors are multi-energy components that convert solar energy into both electricity and heat. In fact, PV-T collectors make possible the use of the large amount of solar radiation wasted in PV modules as usable heat in a conventional thermal system. Therefore, PV-T collectors represent in principle one of the most efficient ways to use solar energy (co-generation effect). However, such a concept still faces various barriers due to the multidisciplinary knowledge requirements (material, semi-conductors, thermal) and to the complexity of the multiple physical phenomena implied in such concepts.The objective of this PhD work is to carry out a study based on a multi-scale approach that combines both numerical and experimental investigations regarding the feasibility of the concept of hybrid solar collector. The performance of such components is estimated through an appropriate design analysis, and innovative solutions to design an efficient PV-T collector are presented. Based on improved processing methods and improved material properties, an efficient covered PV-T collector has been designed and tested. This collector was made of PV cells connected to the surface of an optimized flat heat exchanger by an improved lamination process and covered on the front side by a static air layer and AR-coated glass pane and on the back side by thermal insulation material. The results showed a significant improvement of both thermal and electrical efficiency in comparison to all previous works on PV-T concepts found in the literature. System simulations were carried out for a hot water system with the software TRNSYS in order to get a clearer statement on the performance of PV-T collectors. The results show that the integration of PV-T collectors can be more advantageous than standard solar components in regard to thermodynamic considerations (energy and exergy) and environmental considerations (CO2 and primary energy saving).

Abstract This thesis presents measuring techniques as well as measured and simulated results with the aim of helping the design of photovoltaic energy harvesting systems. Therefore, cost-effective measurement setups were developed for collecting the amount of irradiation, for both stationary and moving photovoltaic (PV) installations. The impact of the time resolution of solar radiation data on estimating the available solar energy was investigated. For moving PV installations, the dynamics and the rate of changes in the available irradiation were studied in order to analyse the effects on maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms. In addition, possibilities for harvesting PV energy in indoor environments were also investigated. The main contribution of this thesis is the effective testing of PV cells and complete PV panels: instead of measuring the characteristic I-V (Current-Voltage) response under strictly controlled artificial illumination, photovoltaics are simply biased externally. Then, with the help of synchronized thermography (ST), infrared (IR) images of the PV panel self-heating are recorded. In the obtained IR-images, defected areas are seen as cold spots, since they are not biased by the external power supply. From the calculated temperature variations, the size of the defect area can be calculated and, thus, the loss in output power can be estimated. The method is shown to work both with and without glass encapsulation. / Tiivistelmä Tämä työ esittelee mittaustekniikoita ja mitattuja ja simuloituja tuloksia aurinkoenergian keruujärjestelmien suunnittelun avuksi. Työtä varten kehitettiin kustannustehokas mittausjärjestelmä, jonka avulla arvioitiin aurinkoenergian määrää sekä stationaarisen että liikkuvan valokennon tapauksissa. Näiden lisäksi tutkittiin mittaustaajuuden vaikutusta arvioitaessa saatavilla olevan aurinkoenergian määrää. Liikkuvan PV (photovoltaic)-asennuksen avulla tutkittiin saatavilla olevan aurinkoenergian vaihtelun suuruutta ja nopeutta tarkoituksena analysoida näiden vaikutuksia käytettäviin MPPT-algoritmeihin. Tämä lisäksi tutkittiin myös valoenergian keruumahdollisuuksia sisätiloissa. Työn tärkein kontribuutio on valokennojen ja kokonaisten valopaneelien toiminnallisuuden testaamisen tehostaminen. Tyypillisesti PV:n toiminnallisuus varmistetaan tarkasti määritetyssä ympäristössä suoritetun I-V -ominaiskäyrämittauksen avulla. Tämän työn menetelmä on yksinkertaisesti biasoida PV:t ulkoisesti, minkä jälkeen ST (synchronized thermpgraphy) -kuvauksen avulla määritetään PV-paneelien itselämpenemistä kuvaavat infrapunakuvat. Paneelin vioittuneet alueet erottuvat IR-kuvissa kylminä alueina ulkoisen biasoinnin puuttuessa. IR-kuvista havaituista lämpötilavaihteluista on mahdollista määrittää vioittuneen alueen koko ja siten arvioida myös menetettyä lähtötehoa. Kyseisen metodin toimivuus osoitettiin niin lasikoteloiduilla kuin ilman sitä olevilla PV-paneeleilla.