The objective of this thesis is to understand and improve optical and electrical confinement to achieve cost-effective high-efficiency thin p-type Si solar cells. Optical confinement is achieved by front surface texturing in conjunction with an internal reflective layer on the back surface. Electrical confinement is obtained through the use of a high-lifetime material coupled with high-quality passivation on both surfaces. This research is divided into five tasks. In the first task, Ga-doped Cz Si was investigated to achieve a high and stable lifetime. It was found that for 1 ohm-cm nominal-resistivity screen-printed Al-back surface filed (BSF) cells, the Ga-doped ingot gave ~1.5% higher absolute efficiency after light-soaking relative to the B-doped counterpart. The benefit of using Ga is therefore quite explicit. In the second task, the screen-printed Al-BSF was investigated to explore its potential and limitations for achieving high-efficiency cells. It was found that there exists a critical alloying temperature for a given Al-thickness, above which the Al-BSF becomes non-uniform and cell performance starts to degrade. This puts a limit on the quality of the Al-BSF that can be achieved. An alternative way of back passivation involving dielectric/metal layers was therefore explored. In Task three, two key requirements for achieving high-efficiency dielectric back-passivated cells were established through device modeling. These are (1) a formation of a high-quality BSF underneath the local back contact through vias in the dielectric and (2) a high-quality dielectric passivation with either a moderate positive charge density or a high negative charge density. Task four involved the development of a metallization technique through vias in the dielectric to achieve a high-quality contact and an efficient internal reflector in conjunction with a high-quality local BSF. Further, a novel dielectric system composed of a spin-on SiO<SUB>2</SUB> layer capped with SiN<SUB>x</SUB> was developed that exhibited excellent passivation and a moderate positive charge density. The final task involved fabrication and analysis of dielectric back-passivated cells. The new dielectric and process sequence developed in this thesis resulted in screen-printed solar cells with efficiency as high as 19% with the potential for 20% efficient cells on 100-µm thick Si substrates.

Thesis (M. S. in Interdisciplinary Materials Science)--Vanderbilt University, Aug. 2008. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.E. Mechanical Engineering)--University of Waikato, 2007. / Title from PDF cover (viewed May 6, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-108)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [108]-114).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Rohatgi, Ajeet; Committee Co-Chair: Begovic, Miroslav; Committee Member: Gaylord, Thomas; Committee Member: Harley, Ronald; Committee Member: Jarrett, Christopher; Committee Member: Kippelen, Bernard

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-167). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates methods to extract the maximum amount of electrical energy from a py panel. The thesis is divided into four parts, focussing on different aspects relating to this topic. The first part will investigate the role that py energy is likely to play in South Africa's future energy scenario, by looking at topics like the greenhouse effect and the economics of energy production. Secondly the thesis will look at how to position py panels optimally for maximum energy generation through the year. A software model of a py panel is developed which can calculate available py energy and energy generation costs for a given location, based on parameters like the positioning of the py panel and historic weather data. Thirdly the optimal design of a maximum power point tracker is investigated. The optimal design, based on a k-sweep voltage ratio maximum power point tracking algorithm, is implemented using a DSP controlled boost converter circuit. Finally, the best methods to store energy generated using py panels are explored. Energy storage technologies are compared for rural, off-grid applications in South Africa, and the design and implementation of a pulse-charging lead-acid battery charging strategy is explained. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek maniere waarop die maksimum hoeveelheid elektriese energie vanuit 'n py paneelonttrek kan word. Die tesis word in vier dele verdeel, wat elkeen fokus op 'n ander aspek van die onderwerp. Die eerste kyk na die rol wat PV energie potensieël kan speel in die toekomstige energie produksie binne Suid Afrika, deur te kyk na onderwerpe soos die kweekhuis effek, en die ekonomiese sy van energie produksie. Tweedens kyk die tesis na metodes om 'n py paneeloptimaal te posisioneer vir maksimum energie deur die jaar. 'n Sagteware model van 'n PV paneel word ontwikkel wat die hoeveelheid beskikbare energie, en die kostes daarvan, kan bereken vir 'n spesifieke plek, gebaseer op PV paneel data en vorige jare se atmosferiese data. Derdens word agtergrond oor maksimum drywingspunt volgers gegee, en die ontwerp en bou van 'n k-variërende, spannings verhouding maksimum kragpunt volger verduidelik, geimplimenteer deur van 'n DSP en 'n opkapper baan gebruik te maak. Laastens word die beste maniere om PV energie te stoor, vir landelike toepassings weg vanaf die Eskom netwerk, ondersoek. Alle beskikbare tegnologieë word eers vergelyk met mekaar, waarna die ontwerp en bou van 'n puls-laai loodsuur batterylaaier verduidelik word.

Orientador: Paulo José Amaral Serni / Coorientador: André Luiz Andreoli / Banca: Paulo Sergio da Silva / Banca: Alessandro Goedtel / Resumo: Esta dissertação apresenta a análise, modelagem e controle vetorial de um sistema de geração eólica tendo um gerador de indução duplamente alimentado como máquina primária e equipado com um conversor back-to-back para gerenciamento da potência entregue ou absorvida da rede elétrica, independentemente do tipo de carga instalada, por meio de compensação de reativos e filtragem ativa das correntes da rede. Para atingir este objetivo, a modelagem do sistema, bem como o projeto dos controladores foram desenvolvidos no ambiente de simulação Matlab®/Simulink®, em que o controle do conversor do lado do rotor realiza a regulação do torque e o controle de potência ativa e reativa, enquanto que o controle do conversor do lado da rede tem a função de manter a tensão do link-CC constante e produzir fator de potência unitário, compensando reativos oriundos do sistema de geração eólica e da carga instalada e atuando como um filtro ativo de potência, melhorando o índice de distorção harmônica da corrente da rede. Além disso, controladores proporcionais-ressonantes foram utilizados a fim de mitigar harmônicos gerados pelo conversor atuando no modo retificador. Também foi realizado o controle do ângulo de passo das pás da turbina, com a finalidade de obter a máxima potência para qualquer velocidade do vento. Os resultados obtidos permitiram avaliar o desempenho dos controladores, de modo que o fator de potência foi mantido unitário para variações abruptas de carga. Tem-se compensação harmônica... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This dissertation presents the analysis, modeling and vector control of a wind power system with a doubly-fed induction generator as a primary machine and equipped whit a back-to-back converter to manage power delivered to or absorbed from the grid, independently of the installed load type, through reactive compensation and active filtering of grid currents. To achieve this goal, the system modelling and the controller design was developed in the Matlab®/Simulink® software, where the rotor-side converter control regulates torque and control active and reactive power. The grid-side converter control has the function of maintaining the DC link voltage constant and produce unit power factor, compensating reactive power from the wind generation system and the installed load and acting as an active power filter, which improves the total harmonic distortion of the grid current. In addition, proportional-resonant controller was used to mitigate harmonics generated by the converter acting in the rectifier mode. The pitch angle controller also was made in order to obtain the maximum power for any wind speed. The results obtained allowed to evaluate the performance of the controllers, so that the power factor was unit for abrupt loads variation, there was harmonic compensation for nonlinear loads and the maximum power from the wind was extracted and generated. / Mestre

Submitted by Lara Oliveira (lara@ufersa.edu.br) on 2016-11-18T15:46:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 BlakeCDM_TESE.pdf: 4892316 bytes, checksum: 86d0db1f3948e83dab7334504ce8a41f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-01-24T14:47:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 BlakeCDM_TESE.pdf: 4892316 bytes, checksum: 86d0db1f3948e83dab7334504ce8a41f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-02-15T15:00:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 BlakeCDM_TESE.pdf: 4892316 bytes, checksum: 86d0db1f3948e83dab7334504ce8a41f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-21T15:06:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 BlakeCDM_TESE.pdf: 4892316 bytes, checksum: 86d0db1f3948e83dab7334504ce8a41f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / The residual oil frying (ORF), when disposed of incorrectly, cause negative impacts on the environment. However, its use as biofuel, generates great benefits of social, economic and environmental order. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a group cycle diesel engine-generator powered by diesel and mineral diesel blends with residual oil frying. The trials were conducted in machines Instrumentation Laboratory and Agricultural Mechanization (Limma) of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA) in Mossoró-RN, using a completely randomized design in factorial 4 x 5, with four replications. The treatments were diesel (DI) of oil and mixtures of diesel and residual oil frying (ORF) in the proportions: 50% DI and 50% ORF; DI 75% and 25% ORF; DI 90% and 10% ORF; 100% DI. The resistive loads used were 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 kW. The engine oil temperature remains within the recommended operating range (85-95 ° C), indicating no lubricating oil contamination. All mixtures ORF had lower values for the exhaust temperature to the commercial diesel. The lower values of specific fuel consumption (EC) were obtained with higher loads, particularly at loads of 12 and 15 kW. The ORF25 mixture was the one with the lowest power generated and the EC farther diesel for all applied loads. Among the binary mixtures, ORF presented SE 10 similar to diesel in loads of 12 and 15 kW and the ORF50, the loads of 3, 9 and 12 kW; demonstrating that such mixing proportions, the ORF can replace mineral diesel / O óleo residual de fritura (ORF), quando descartado de maneira incorreta, causa impactos negativos ao meio ambiente. Todavia, a sua utilização como biocombustível gera grandes benefícios de ordem social, econômica e ambiental. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o desempenho de um grupo motor-gerador de ciclo diesel, alimentado com diesel mineral e misturas de diesel com óleo residual de frituras. Os ensaios foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Instrumentação de Máquinas e Mecanização Agrícola (LIMMA) da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), em Mossoró-RN, utilizando delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4 x 5, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos utilizados foram o óleo diesel mineral (DI) e misturas de diesel e óleo residual de fritura (ORF) nas proporções: 50% DI e 50% ORF; 75% DI e 25% ORF; 90% DI e 10% ORF; 100% DI. As cargas resistivas aplicadas foram de 3, 6, 9, 12 e 15 kW. A temperatura do óleo do motor se manteve dentro da faixa de trabalho recomendada (85-95 °C), indicativo de que não houve contaminação do óleo lubrificante. Todas as misturas de ORF apresentaram valores inferiores para temperatura de escapamento em relação ao diesel comercial. Os menores valores de consumo específico (CE) foram obtidos com as maiores cargas, sobretudo nas cargas de 12 e 15 kW. A mistura ORF25 foi a que apresentou a menor potência gerada e o CE mais distante do diesel para todas as cargas aplicadas. Dentre as misturas binárias, a ORF10 apresentou CE semelhante ao do diesel nas cargas de 12 e 15 kW, e a ORF50, nas cargas de 3, 9 e 12 kW; demonstrando que, nessas proporções de mistura, o ORF pode substituir o óleo diesel mineral / 2016-11-14