No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Organic molecules based photovoltaic cells were fabricated in an open laboratory conditions without the use of glove box or clean room. Conducting polymers such as P3HT and PCBM were used as a photo-active layer of the devices. We found significant difference in the performance of the devices by employing two laboratory conditions of the polymer solutions. Enhanced current density has been observed from P3HT/PCBM bulkheterojunction solar cell after diluting a well sonicated polymers solution with fresh chloroform solvent. As the result of such current surge in the devices the efficiency rose to more than double compared to those devices without dilution of the P3HT/PCBM solution. An average power conversion efficiency of 4.5% was then recorded from the new preparation condition. This is an encouraging development toward achieving low cost organic photovoltaic devices. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

High output electrical energy is obtained from photovoltaic (PV) systems subject to high irradiance. However, at high irradiance, the efficiency of PV systems drops due to increase of the temperature of the systems. In order to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic systems, much effort has been spent on developing hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems using water as a coolant to withdraw heat from solar modules. This research is focused on the study of the behavior of hybrid PVT collectors using rectangular channel profiles which provide a large surface for heat exchange between PV panels and thermal collectors unlike the circular channel profile used in conventional PV systems. In hybrid PVT systems, coolant water circulates in a closed circuit by means of the thermosyphon phenomenon and the heat from this water is extracted from a storage tank and can be used in hot water systems instead of an electric geyser. Numerical models of water velocity in channels due to the thermosyphon phenomenon and the temperature of solar modules was developed and a system was designed for modest Durban household demand. A simulation was run for specific summer and winter days comparing a conventional PV system and a hybrid PVT system. The results were very encouraging, and demonstrated that the equipment is capable of extending the PVT application potential in the domestic sector where more than 40% of electricity cost is heating water. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of New South Wales, 1999. / Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of Toledo, 2008. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Physics." Bibliography: leaves 124-132.

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2008. / "June 2nd, 2008." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Engineering with Specialization in Materials Engineering." "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." Major professor: Richard Savage, Ph.D. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-100). Also available online and on microfiche (2 sheets).