Orientador: Luiz Carlos Pereira da Silva / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T01:49:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Geraldi_Douglas_M.pdf: 3918130 bytes, checksum: a6b640b4707af6b9173674deab29eece (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Existe atualmente um consenso de que as Redes Inteligentes favoreçam a solução de diversos problemas presentes no dia a dia das concessionárias distribuidoras de energia elétrica, tais como a gestão inteligente do carregamento e o gerenciamento automático na recuperação do fornecimento de energia (self-healing). Por outro lado, a implantação de tecnologias de redes inteligentes também pode criar novas dificuldades para as distribuidoras. Especial atenção deve ser dada à facilidade do acesso ao sistema elétrico por parte da microgeração - quer seja solar, eólica, micro turbinas a gás, etc. - possibilitada pela substituição dos medidores atuais por medidores inteligentes e por legislação específica recentemente publicada pela ANEEL. Neste trabalho busca-se apontar e quantificar alguns impactos técnicos relacionados à injeção de potência em um circuito secundário de distribuição. Através do estudo de cenários com crescente nível de penetração de microgeradores fotovoltaicos residenciais (tetos solares) são analisados os impactos na curva de carga do prossumidor, no perfil de tensão da rede, nas perdas elétricas e no desequilíbrio de tensão. As simulações dos cenários supracitados são realizadas através do software livre Gridlab-D, desenvolvido pela Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) para estudos de aspectos de redes inteligentes via simulação computacional. Uma das vantagens desse pacote é a integração com base de dados meteorológicos, permitindo, por exemplo, a estimativa da geração fotovoltaica mês a mês para um determinado ano constante na base de dados / Abstract: Nowadays, there is a consensus that the Smart Grid can promote the solution of various problems present in distribution utilities, such as intelligent load management and self-healing. How-ever, the deployment of smart grid technologies can also create new difficulties. Special attention should be given to the open access to the electrical grid from the micro-generation plants, such as solar photovoltaic, wind turbines and gas micro-turbines, which will be possible with the re-placement of the current meters for smart meters and by specific regulation recently published by ANEEL. This work intends to identify and quantify some technical impacts related to power injection from micro-generators in a secondary distribution circuit. Through the study of scenarios with increasing penetration of residential photovoltaic micro-generators (solar roofs) some impacts are analyzed: impacts on the load profile of the prosumer; impacts on the voltage profile of the network; impacts on the electrical losses and voltage imbalance. The simulations of the above scenarios are performed by using Gridlab-D, free software developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to study aspects of smart grids via computer simulation. One ad-vantage of this package is the integration with meteorological database, enabling, for example, the estimation of photovoltaic generation every month for a given year contained in the database / Mestrado / Energia Eletrica / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica

Orientadores: Rubens Maciel Filho, Fernando Ely / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T07:45:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Matsumoto_Agatha_M.pdf: 4679251 bytes, checksum: 08fb9e84038f307956ec356550160f03 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Células fotovoltaicas orgânicas (OPVs) tem sido foco de intensa pesquisa devido ao seu potencial de baixo custo de produção e pela típica característica de serem flexíveis. Apesar de tais vantagens, estes dispositivos ainda têm baixa eficiência quântica (PCE). Este trabalho explora o desenvolvimento de processos de fabricação reprodutíveis e o uso de novos materiais em estruturas de dispositivo fotovoltaico. Inicialmente foi construído dispositivo padrão seguindo a estrutura de ITO/ PEDOT VpAl/ P3HT:PCBM/ Al, que corresponde à estrutura OPV mais estudada, até hoje, e que conduz a altas eficiências de fotoconversão. Foram ajustados todos os parâmetros físico-químicos para se obter as soluções mais estáveis possíveis e camadas funcionais uniformes do dispositivo padrão. Diversas modificações, neste dispositivo padrão, foram introduzidas para incrementar a eficiência quântica originalmente obtida. Primeiramente, foi testada a aplicação de PEDOT condutor e nanoparticulas (NP) de ZnO como camada buffer em substituição ao PEDOT VpAl. Posteriormente, o composto liquido-cristalino TAPCu-52 foi introduzido como material do tipo-P na camada ativa, em substituição ao polímero P3HT. Cristais líquidos também foram estudados como aditivos funcionais na camada ativa para aumentar a mobilidade dos portadores de carga e facilitar a separação do par elétron-buraco fotogerado. Por fim, buscando tornar o dispositivo completamente flexível foi realizada a substituição do eletrodo transparente de ITO por uma camada de PEDOT condutor, obtida pelo método de spray manual e ultrasônico. As caracterizações elétricas e morfológicas das células OPV, mostraram que todas as modificações feitas levaram a resultados positivos em relação ao dispositivo padrão fabricados / Abstract: Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have been the focus of research due its flexible characteristics and low cost of production. Despite such advantages these devices still have low quantum efficiency (PCE), which is an obstacle for commercialization. This work explores reliable fabrication processes and new materials for OPV structures. For comparison, we fabricated standard devices having the well studied structure ITO/ PEDOT VpAl/ P3HT:PCBM/ Al which can lead to high fotoconversion efficiencies. Physical and chemical parameters were modified to achieve stable solutions and uniform functional layers. Several modifications in this standard device were introduced in order to increase the original PCE obtained. Firstly, conductive PEDOT and ZnO nanoparticles layers were added in replacement of the PEDOT VpAl as buffer. Afterwards, the liquid-crystalline compound TAPCu-52 was studied as p-type material in the active layer to substitute the P3HT polymer. Liquid crystals were also investigated as functional additives to increase the charge carrier mobility and electron-hole separation. Finally, ITO was changed by a conductive PEDOT layer deposited by handheld and ultrasonic spray as transparent anode in order to have a more flexible device. In general, the electrical and morphological characterizations indicated that all studied modifications had positive effect on the PCE of the manufactured OPV devices / Mestrado / Desenvolvimento de Processos Químicos / Mestra em Engenharia Química

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Scientists agree that the rising electricity usage of the rapidly growing human race to improve its standard of living is negatively affecting the environment. To create a sustainable environment for future generations, renewable and environmentally friendly resources have to be exchanged for the present finite resources. In South Africa, coal plants are responsible for more than 90% of the electricity production. This means that action has to be taken now to start a process of change to sustainable electricity resources. This study focused on the South African solar industry. Due to the high sun radiation levels, solar technology is one of the renewable energy sources with the greatest potential. The industry is in its infancy, characterised by accelerated growth expectancy and fuelled by factors such as government subsidies, the fluctuations of fossil fuel prices and the increasing focus on economical long-term sustainability. The expected growth necessitates a focus on the market positioning of solar service providers in the Western Cape with the aim of taking full advantage of the opportunities associated with this industry. The main objective of this study was to determine the current structure of the solar service provider value chain and subsequently areas of improvement to increase growth, stakeholder satisfaction and sustainability. A literature review was conducted to address the research objective, relevant approaches and the broader electricity industry. Porter’s Value Chain approach was used as a foundation for the adaptation to the solar service provider value chain. Porter’s Five Forces model was also used as a secondary approach, which analysed the competitive environment of the solar service provider industry in the Western Cape. The methodology entailed a qualitative research approach in the form of semi-structured interviews. All respondents were general managers or owners of a solar service provider, who were interviewed face to face. The study focused on the entire population of solar service providers in the Western Cape. Seventy-seven different service providers were targeted, of which 18 were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using content and frequency analysis. To guarantee reliability, a pilot study was conducted to ensure that the questionnaire was understood by the respondents. The validity of this study is gauged as high as the entire population was targeted and the results can be broadly generalised. The findings show that customer service is the foremost value driver for solar service providers. This entails the actual installation of the product as well as the people skills of the installation team. As most customers only have to be served once due to the long life span of the products, marketing also plays an obvious role in attracting new customers. The most important outcome of this study is the determination and a better understanding of the solar service provider value chain in South Africa. The recommendations, especially with regard to marketing and service elements, could improve the performance of solar service providers. The consequence could be an increase in stakeholder satisfaction and an enhanced usage of solar energy in South Africa. Future research should focus on customers to reveal preferences and opportunities for marketing approaches. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wetenskaplikes is dit eens dat die snelgroeiende mensdom se stygende elektrisiteitsverbruik ten einde hul lewenstandaard te verhoog, die omgewing benadeel. Om ’n volhoubare omgewing vir toekomstige geslagte te skep, sal die huidige beperkte hulpbronne met hernubare en omgewingsvriendelike hulpbronne vervang moet word. In Suid-Afrika is steenkoolaanlegte verantwoordelik vir meer as 90% van die land se elektrisiteitsproduksie. Dít beteken dat daar nóú opgetree moet word om ’n proses van oorskakeling na volhoubare elektrisiteitshulpbronne aan die gang te sit. Hierdie studie konsentreer op die Suid-Afrikaanse sonenergiebedryf. Weens die hoë sonstralingsvlakke wat die land ervaar, is sonenergietegnologie een van die hernubare energiebronne met die grootste potensiaal. Die bedryf staan nog in sy kinderskoene en word gekenmerk deur ’n verwagting van al hoe vinniger groei, wat aangedryf word deur faktore soos staatsubsidies, skommelinge in fossielbrandstofpryse en ’n toenemende klem op ekonomiese langtermynvolhoubaarheid. Die verwagte groei noodsaak ’n ondersoek na die markplasing van sonenergiediensverskaffers in die Wes-Kaap ten einde die geleenthede verbonde aan hierdie bedryf ten volle te benut. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om die huidige struktuur van die waardeketting van sonenergiediensverskaffers, en gevolglik ook moontlike verbeteringe vir groter groei, belanghebbende-tevredenheid en volhoubaarheid, te bepaal. ’n Literatuuroorsig is onderneem om die navorsingsoogmerk, tersaaklike benaderinge en die groter elektrisiteitsbedryf in konteks te beskou. Porter se waardekettingbenadering het as grondslag gedien vir aanpassing by die waardeketting van sonenergiediensverskaffers. Daarbenewens is Porter se model van vyf kragte as sekondêre benadering ingespan om die mededingende omgewing in die sonenergiediensverskaffersbedryf in die Wes-Kaap te ontleed. Die studiemetodologie het ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering in die vorm van semigestruktureerde onderhoude behels. Alle respondente is algemene bestuurders of eienaars van ’n sonenergiediensverskaffer en het aan persoonlike onderhoude deelgeneem. Die studie het op die algehele populasie van sonenergiediensverskaffers in die Wes-Kaap gekonsentreer. Die teikengroep was 77 verskillende diensverskaffers, van wie 18 aan onderhoude deelgeneem het. Die onderhoude is getranskribeer en met behulp van inhouds- en frekwensie-analise ontleed. Betroubaarheid is gewaarborg deur middel van ’n loodsstudie om te verseker dat die respondente die vraelys sou verstaan. Aangesien die hele populasie as teikengroep gedien het en die resultate dus in die breë veralgemeen kan word, word hierdie studie as uiters geldig beskou. Die bevindinge toon dat kliëntediens die grootste waarde-aandrywer vir sonenergiediensverskaffers is. Dít behels die praktiese installering van die produk sowel as die mensevaardighede van die installasiespan. Aangesien die meeste kliënte weens die lang gebruiksduur van die produkte slegs een maal bedien hoef te word, speel bemarking ook ’n voor die hand liggende rol om nuwe kliënte te lok. Die belangrikste uitkoms van hierdie studie is die bepaling en beter begrip van die waardeketting van sonenergiediensverskaffers in Suid-Afrika. Die aanbevelings, veral met betrekking tot bemarkings- en dienselemente, kan sodanige verskaffers se prestasie verbeter. Dít kan weer tot groter belanghebbende-tevredenheid sowel as meer sonenergie-aanwending in Suid-Afrika lei. Toekomstige navorsing behoort op kliënte te konsentreer om hulle voorkeure, en dus ook moontlike bemarkingsgeleenthede, te bepaal.

M. Tech. (Engineering, Electrical, Department Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology / In order to facilitate sustainable development, it is necessary to further improve and increase the energy efficiency and use of renewable energy and its related technologies. The main limiting factors to the extensive use of photovoltaic (PV) modules include the high initial investment cost and the relatively low conversion efficiency. However, other factors, such as an increase in ambient temperature, exert a considerable negative influence on PV modules, with cell efficiencies decreasing as the cell’s operating temperature increases. Higher PV module surface temperatures mean lower output voltages and subsequent lower output power. Therefore, this dissertation focuses on optimizing the available output power from a PV module by investigating and controlling the effect that the PV module’s surface temperature exerts on the amount of electrical energy produced. A pilot study was conducted by using a PV module set to three different tilt angles with an orientation angle and temperature sensors placed at different points. This was done to determine temperature distribution on the PV module surfaces as well as identify which tilt angle produces the highest PV module surface temperature. The main study was designed to investigate the electrical performance of a PV module with different cooling systems (water and forced air) as against a referenced measurement (no cooling). The cooling systems will be switched on and off at specific time intervals with the help of an electronic timer circuit incorporating a PIC microcontroller. The pilot study was conducted for a 50 week period where the results indicated a direct correlation between temperature rise and voltage decrease. The PV module’s temperature is highest at a tilt angle of 16° during the day and lowest at night time. It further reveals that the PV module’s front and back surface temperature can be distinctly different, with the highest recorded values occurring at the back of the PV module. The main study was conducted for a period of 15 weeks with results indicating that the water cooling system resulted in an average higher output power of 49.6% when compared to the reference system (no cooling system). Recommendations are made that sufficient space should be included between the module frames and mounting structure to reduce high operating temperatures owing to poor air circulation.

As edificações comerciais, públicas e residenciais foram responsáveis em 2014 por 50% do consumo de eletricidade no país. Considerando os últimos dez anos, enquanto o consumo médio dos diferentes setores da economia cresceu 3,5% ao ano, o consumo do setor comercial cresceu 5,4%. Os edifícios de escritórios corporativos representam grandes consumidores de energia, chegando a valores superiores aos 200 kWh/m2.ano. A geração distribuída é uma solução que vem sendo estudada no país, primeiramente pela aprovação da Resolução Técnica 482:2012 da ANEEL, que regulamenta a geração de eletricidade na baixa tensão e depois pela aprovação da Portaria 381:2015 que dispõe sobre a geração de eletricidade na média tensão. Apesar do crescimento da geração por fontes fotovoltaicas no mundo, no Brasil essa geração ainda é mínima frente às fontes hídricas e térmicas. Nos edifícios de escritórios corporativos a instalação de painéis fotovoltaicos na cobertura é bastante limitada, devido à disputa de espaço com outros serviços, como as áreas técnicas e heliponto. Nesse contexto, as fachadas aparecem como oportunidade para geração de eletricidade, através da tecnologia fotovoltaica integrada na arquitetura (BIPV). Nesse estudo foi avaliada a viabilidade técnica e financeira da geração integrada à arquitetura dos edifícios de escritórios corporativos da cidade de São Paulo a partir do uso de vidros fotovoltaicos. Os resultados indicam que existe um potencial de redução de 15% no consumo de eletricidade anual, considerando tanto a geração de eletricidade, quanto a redução do consumo do sistema de ar condicionado, que tem sua carga térmica reduzida com o uso dos vidros fotovoltaicos. A tecnologia já é viável financeiramente no mercado brasileiro quando associada ao vidro refletivo, apresentando um tempo de retorno simples de 2,9 anos, uma TIR de 34,2% e um VPL de 1.779.257,53, para um edifício em torre com 28.010 m2 de área condicionada e 21 andares. / Commercial, public and residential buildings accounted in 2014 for 50% of electricity consumption in Brazil. Considering the last ten years, while the average consumption of the different sectors of the economy increased by 3.5% per year, the consumption of the commercial sector grew 5.4%. Corporate buildings are major energy consumers, reaching values in the range of 200 kWh/m2.year. Distributed generation is a solution that has been studied in the country, primarily with the approval of the Technical Resolution 482:2012, which regulates the generation of electricity at low voltage and then with the approval of the General Ordinance 381:2015 which regulates the generation of electricity at medium voltage. Despite the growth in generation from photovoltaic sources in the world, in Brazil this generation is still minimal when compared to other sources, like hydro and thermal plants. In commercial buildings, the space to install photovoltaic panels on the roof is quite limited. In this context the facades appear as an opportunity to generate electricity through photovoltaic technology integrated in the architecture (BIPV). In this study we evaluated the technical and financial feasibility of the integrated generation to the architecture of corporate buildings in the city of Sao Paulo. The results indicate a 15% reduction potential in annual electricity consumption, considering both the electricity generation and the reduction of the consumption by the air conditioning system, which has a reduced thermal load when photovoltaic glass is used. The BIPV technology is already feasible in the Brazilian market when coupled with reflective glass, showing a simple payback of 2.9 years, an IRR of 34.2% and a NPV of 1,779,257.53, for a building with 28,010 m2 and 21 floors.

This thesis focuses on improving the adhesion of electroless metal layers plated to pit contacts in interdigitated, backside buried contact (IBBC) solar cells. In an electrolessly plated, pit contact IBBC cell, the contact grooves are replaced with lines of pits which are interconnected by the plated metal. It is shown, however, that electroless metal layers, plated by the standard IBBC plating sequence, are not adherent on pit contact IBBC solar cells. The cause of this adhesion problem is investigated by examining the adhesive properties of each of the metal layers in the electroless metallization sequence on planar test structures. This investigation reveals that Pd activation of heavily P diffused Si impedes Ni silicide growth and that, in the absence of a silicide at the Ni/Si interface, an electrolessly plated Cu layer will cause the underlying Ni layer to peel away from the substrate. It is also found that the Ni silicidation process itself intermittently causes the unreacted Ni to spontaneously peel away from the substrate. An electroless metallization sequence that results in thick, adhesive Cu deposits on planar &lt 100&gt surfaces is developed in this thesis. It is shown that this process leads to the formation of a Ni silicide on both n- and p- type, heavily diffused surfaces. Fully plated, pit contact IBBC solar cells were not able to be fabricated during the course of this work but it is reasonable to expect that the modified plating sequence developed in this work will result in the metal layers being adhesive on these cells.

The manufacture of photovoltaic (PV) system components has a role to play in the industrialisation and poverty reduction strategies of developing countries. It has also been suggested that small scale local manufacture of balance of systems components has the potential to improve the maintenance, installation and use of the technology. However, PV is a complex technology and most developing countries have not been able to build the capabilities required to manufacture PV system components of an appropriate quality and price, either in the modern or small scale sectors. The factors that determine the success of PV manufacturers in developing countries are therefore of interest. Previous studies on learning in the PV industry have been focused on industry-wide concerns and have not explicitly addressed enterprise-level capability building or challenges specific to developing countries. In particular, there has been very little published about small scale PV manufacture. This thesis therefore aims to improve understanding of the factors that influence capability building, with a view to assisting decision making in relation to PV manufacture in developing countries. The aims of the study have been fulfilled by the development and assessment of a software simulation training tool for PV cell production line engineers, the development of an analysis framework, and application of it to several case study PV enterprises. Through the application of the framework to the case studies, it has been possible to assess the role of software simulations, the suitability of countries with different types of infrastructure for hosting PV manufacturing and the institutional arrangements or interventions that could be used to promote capability building for PV manufacturers in developing countries. While further case studies are required to make more than tentative conclusions, the framework developed and tested in this thesis may now be used as a tool to systematically and rapidly analyse the appropriateness of different types of PV manufacture in particular countries, to identify the weaknesses in their PV technological systems and therefore to suggest where resources should be invested and where appropriate institutional changes could be made. The simulation software has been demonstrated to be an effective capability building tool, thus providing one of the key elements required for successful manufacturing.

This thesis is concerned with the material processing, photophysical and third-order nonlinear optical responses, and applications of a set of conjugated polymers in the telecommunication regions. Polyacetylene-based third-order nonlinear optical materials were chosen as candidates for all-optical signal and image processing. Substituted polyacetylenes were obtained using ring-opening metathesis polymerization of mono-substituted cyclooctatetraenes. Polymerization and processing conditions have been developed to generate thick, large-area films possessing large third-order nonlinearities in the telecommunication bands. The good optical quality of a 200 μm thick substituted polyacetylene film allowed for image correlation via off-resonant degenerated four-wave mixing with improved diffraction efficiency. Poly(2-methoxy-5-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-(phenylene vinylene)) (MEH-PPV) and (6,6)-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) composites showed strong nonlinear absorption and potential as optical limiters in the region of 700-900 nm. High optical quality, thick film of MEH-PPV:PCBM with the plasticizer dioctylphthalate (DOP) were made. Optical limiting of femtosecond and nanosecond pulses in the near infrared on these composites showed strong power suppression over a broad temporal regime. Femtosecond and nanosecond transient studies on the same thick MEH-PPV:PCBM:DOP composite films and the experimental results showed evidence for the photogeneration of radical ions as being responsible for the enhanced nonlinear absorption and strong optical suppression in the near infrared. Dithienopyrrole-based donor-acceptor copolymers with narrow bandgap showed strong nonlinear absorption and potential as optical limiters in the telecommunication wavelengths. Molecular engineering was applied to manipulate the spectral overlap of two-photon absorption and subsequent nonlinear absorptions. Femtosecond transient spectroscopy showed near infrared transient absorption and 22 - 61% yields of photogenerated charge-transfer species depending on donor-acceptor coupling strength. Torsional fluctuations of the backbone structure potentially affected the excited state behavior. Evidence suggests that ultrafast relaxation occurs to ground state and to long-lived charge-transfer state from the initially excited state. The dispersion of nonlinear absorption measured using the Z-scan method revealed large two-photon absorption cross sections of these polymers in the telecommunication region. Large suppression of nanosecond pulses at 1064 nm was achieved.

A new Markov chain based energy storage model to evaluate the power supply availability of microgrids with renewable energy generation for critical loads is proposed. Since critical loads require above-average availability to ensure reliable operation during extreme events, e.g., natural disasters, using renewable energy generation has been considered to diversify sources. However, the low availability and high variability of renewable energy sources bring a challenge in achieving the required availability for critical loads. Hence, adding energy storage systems to renewable energy generation becomes vital for ensuring the generation of enough power during natural disasters. Although adding energy storage systems would instantaneously increase power supply availability, there is another critical aspect that should be carefully considered; energy storage sizing to meet certain availability must be taken into account in order to avoid oversizing or undersizing capacity, which are two undesirable conditions leading to inadequate availability or increased system cost, respectively. This dissertation proposes to develop a power supply availability framework for renewable energy generation in a given location and to suggest the optimal size of energy storage for the required availability to power critical loads. In particular, a new Markov chain based energy storage model is presented in order to model energy states in energy storage system, which provides an understanding of the nature of charge and discharge rates for energy storage that affect the system's power output. Practical applications of the model are exemplified using electrical vehicles with photovoltaic roofs. Moreover, the minimal cut sets method is used to analyze the effects of microgrid architectures on availability characteristics of the microgrid power supply in the presence of renewable energy sources and energy storage. In addition, design considerations for energy storage power electronics interfaces and a comparison of various energy storage methods are also presented. / text

Electricity generated from photovoltaics (PV) promises to satisfy the world's ever-growing thirst for energy without significant pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. At present, however, PV is several times too expensive to compete economically with conventional sources of electricity delivered via the power grid. To ensure long-term success, must achieve cost parity with electricity generated by conventional sources of electricity. This requires detailed understanding of the relationship between technology and economics as it pertains to PV devices and systems. The research tasks of this thesis focus on developing and using four types of models in concert to develop a complete picture of how solar cell technology and design choices affect the quantity and cost of energy produced by PV systems. It is shown in this thesis that high-efficiency solar cells can leverage balance-of-systems (BOS) costs to gain an economic advantage over solar cells with low efficiencies. This advantage is quantified and dubbed the "efficiency premium." Solar cell device models are linked to models of manufacturing cost and PV system performance to estimate both PV system cost and performance. These, in turn, are linked to a model of levelized electricity cost to estimate the per-kilowatt-hour cost of electricity produced by the PV system. A numerical PV module manufacturing cost model is developed to facilitate this analysis. The models and methods developed in this thesis are used to propose a roadmap to high-efficiency multicrystalline silicon PV modules that achieve cost parity with electricity from the grid. The impact of PV system failures on the cost of electricity is also investigated; from this, a methodology is proposed for improving the reliability of PV inverters.