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.

Στην περιγραφόμενη διπλωματική εργασία μελετώνται τα αυτόνομα φωτοβολταϊκά συστήματα και γίνεται η μελέτη για την τροφοδότηση μιας αγροικίας στην περιοχή της Πάτρας. Τέτοια συστήματα αποτελούνται από φωτοβολταϊκά πλαίσια, συσσωρευτές και ηλεκτρονικές διατάξεις. Τα πλαίσια είναι αυτά που συλλέγουν την ηλιακή ακτινοβολία και μέσω ενός μηχανισμού, που λέγεται φωτοβολταϊκό φαινόμενο, την μετατρέπουν σε ηλεκτρική ενέργεια. Οι συσσωρευτές αποθηκεύουν ηλεκτρική ενέργεια, την οποία εκμεταλλευόμαστε όταν η ζήτηση είναι μεγαλύτερη από την παραγωγή. Οι ηλεκτρονικές διατάξεις, δηλαδή ο μετατροπέας τάσης και ο ελεγκτής φόρτισης, ευθύνονται για την μετατροπή της συνεχούς ισχύος σε εναλλασσόμενη καθώς, επίσης, και για την ομαλή λειτουργία του συστήματος. Αφού γίνει παρουσίαση όλης της θεωρίας και των μαθηματικών τύπων που απαιτούνται, γίνεται εφαρμογή τους μέσω του σχεδιασμού του κατάλληλου φωτοβολταϊκού συστήματος για την τροφοδότηση της αγροικίας. / The subject of this diploma thesis is the study of stand-alone photovoltaic systems. Such systems include photovoltaic modules, batteries, inverters and charge controllers as well. The photovoltaic modules collect solar energy and transform it into electrical energy via a mechanism that is called photovoltaic effect. Batteries storage electrical energy and are used when the electrical demand is greater than the energy generated by the modules. Inverters are used to convert DC power into AC power and charge controllers connect or disconnect the batteries from the system, as needed. After presenting the theory data required, a stand-alone photovoltaic system is designed so as to supply a country house.

Σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι μέσα από την πειραματική διαδικασία και την επεξεργασία των αποτελεσμάτων να μελετηθούν τα φωτοβολταϊκά πλαίσια τεχνολογίας λεπτών φιλμ (Thin Films Photovoltaics-TFPV) που υπάρχουν διαθέσιμα στο εργαστήριο Ασύρματης Τηλεπικοινωνίας του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών στο Τμήμα Ηλεκτρολόγων Μηχανικών και Τεχνολογίας Υπολογιστών και να εξαχθούν συμπεράσματα που θα οδηγήσουν στην κατανόηση της λειτουργίας τους. Η ανάλυσή τους θα διευκρινίσει την λειτουργία τους και σε πραγματικές εφαρμογές. Επιπλέον θα γίνει προσπάθεια πειραματικής εξομοίωσης συνθηκών δοκιμής στους 25οC υπό ηλιακή ακτινοβολία 1000 W/m2 τονίζοντας ότι οι κατασκευαστικές πληροφορίες σε αυτές τις συνθήκες είναι ενδεικτικές και δεν εκφράζουν την συμπεριφορά των πλαισίων σε πραγματικές συνθήκες λειτουργίας. Επίσης θα παρουσιαστεί η επίδραση της τοπικής σκίασης και της αύξησης της προσπίπτουσας ακτινοβολίας σε μέρος ή και σε ολόκληρο το πλαίσιο που προκαλείται από ανάκλαση με τη βοήθεια κατόπτρου. Ειδικότερα παρουσιάζεται η κατάσταση της ενεργειακής πραγματικότητας σήμερα, οι προβληματισμοί για το περιβάλλον, η στροφή στις Ανανεώσιμες Πηγές Ενέργειας και η σημαντικότητα της ενσωμάτωσης φωτοβολταϊκών στα κτήρια. Επίσης παρουσιάζεται η θεωρία της ηλιακής ενέργειας και των φωτοβολταϊκών συστημάτων με τα πλεονεκτήματα και μειονεκτήματά τους. Στην συνέχεια γίνεται αναφορά στη συνδεσιμότητα των φωτοβολταϊκών με την ΔΕΗ και στις ενεργειακές ανάγκες που μπορούν να καλύψουν σε μια κτηριακή εγκατάσταση. Αναλύονται τεχνικές λεπτομέρειες και χαρακτηριστικά μεγέθη των φωτοβολταϊκών στοιχείων καθώς και η εξέλιξη της φωτοβολταϊκής τεχνολογίας ξεκινώντας από το πυρίτιο και καταλήγοντας στα Λεπτά Φιλμ και σε ακόμα νεότερες τεχνολογίες. Στη συνέχεια γίνεται ανάλυση της τεχνολογίας των λεπτών φιλμ προσανατολισμένη στην ενσωμάτωση τους σαν δομικά υλικά σε κατασκευές (BIPV-Building Integrated Photovoltaics).Στην πειραματική διαδικασία επεξηγείται η λογική που ακολουθήθηκε, η πειραματική διάταξη και τα όργανα που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν. Μελετώνται επίσης οι φωτοβολταϊκές παράμετροι και αναλύονται τα πειραματικά δεδομένα. Η ανάλυση γίνεται ως προς την ακτινοβολία, την θερμοκρασία και την εποχή του έτους. Τέλος, τα αποτελέσματα της ανάλυσης, (μέσο ένος προγράμματος στην γλώσσα προγραμματισμού C++), δημιουργούν μια βάση δεδομένων προσπελάσιμη από τον χρήστη για την πρόβλεψη και εξομοίωση των πειραματικών αποτελεσμάτων σε οποιοδήποτε συνδυασμό θερμοκρασίας και ακτινοβολίας. / The purpose of this diploma thesis is to study thin film photovoltaic panels that are available in the wireless communication laboratory in the University of Patras in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Through the experimental process and processing its results our goal was to extract the conclusions that would lead us to a better understanding of their function. Their analysis will determine their usability in real outdoor PV systems. A simulation of the standard test conditions that are set in 250C temperature and 1000 W/m2 radiation is made, pointing out that this information is unable to indicate the actual function of the panels in outdoor conditions. The effects of partial shadowing and increased radiation with mirror system are also presented. More specifically, the energy reality, thoughts about the environment, the global turn towards the renewable energy sources and the significance of photovoltaic integration in buildings (BIPV- Building Integrated Photovoltaics) are mentioned. The theory of solar energy and photovoltaic technology including its advantages and disadvantages is analyzed. Grid-connected PV systems, their contribution in energy production in buildings and the potential of wide application of BIPV is presented. The advantages of thin film as BIPV materials are also mentioned. The experimental parameters, the logics followed in the set up process and the instruments used are part of the complete analysis of thin film parameters in relation to radiation, temperature and time of the year that the measurements occurred. Finally with a C++, a simulation program was created to predict the behavior of the thin film panels in outdoor conditions.

Submitted by Lara Oliveira (lara@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-06-29T18:40:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 GregoryLSS_DISSERT.pdf: 2365446 bytes, checksum: d4abe11e0270841ffc2cbf5442616e03 (MD5) / Rejected by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br), reason: Corrigir referência. on 2017-07-03T12:21:23Z (GMT) / Submitted by Lara Oliveira (lara@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-07-04T14:44:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 GregoryLSS_DISSERT.pdf: 2365446 bytes, checksum: d4abe11e0270841ffc2cbf5442616e03 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-07-04T16:49:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 GregoryLSS_DISSERT.pdf: 2365446 bytes, checksum: d4abe11e0270841ffc2cbf5442616e03 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-07-04T16:58:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 GregoryLSS_DISSERT.pdf: 2365446 bytes, checksum: d4abe11e0270841ffc2cbf5442616e03 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-04T16:58:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 GregoryLSS_DISSERT.pdf: 2365446 bytes, checksum: d4abe11e0270841ffc2cbf5442616e03 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-21 / Distributed photovoltaic systems currently have a great potential for growth, due to several factors that make it quite attractive, among them: tariff parity reached in the coming years in some countries, reduction of installation costs, government incentives, and sector regulation, among others. Since these are relatively new types of systems, many researches have been carried out to study the behavior of a distributed photovoltaic generation system connected to the distribution grid. In this sense, the main objective of this work is to analyze the impact generated in energy quality by the installation of a Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System (GCPV) installed in UFERSA, located in Mossoró/RN. Through the evaluation of the main parameters of energy quality generated by the GCPV, it was verified that the installation of a distributed photovoltaic system connected at low voltage causes small changes in some parameters, such as elevation in the steady state voltage, reduction of the power factor of the installation and increase in the value of the total harmonic distortion rate of current. In the work in question, all variations found did not exceed the limits established by the current regulations. It was also verified that the installation of the GCPV caused a daily reduction of up to 38% in the average active energy consumed, considering the phase in which the system is interconnected / Os sistemas fotovoltaicos distribuídos possuem atualmente um grande potencial de crescimento, devido a diversos fatores que o tornam bastante atraentes, dentre eles: paridade tarifária sendo alcançada nos próximos anos em alguns países, redução dos custos de instalação, incentivos governamentais, regulação do setor, entre outros. Por tratar-se de tipos de sistemas relativamente novos, muitas pesquisas têm sido desenvolvidas no intuito de estudar o comportamento de um sistema de geração fotovoltaica distribuída, conectado à rede elétrica de distribuição. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo principal analisar o impacto gerado na qualidade de energia pela instalação de um Sistema Fotovoltaico Conectado à Rede (SFCR) instalado na UFERSA, localizada em Mossoró/RN. Através da avaliação dos principais parâmetros de qualidade de energia gerados pelo SFCR verificou-se que a instalação de um sistema fotovoltaico distribuído conectado em baixa tensão provoca pequenas alterações em alguns parâmetros, tais como: elevação na tensão de regime permanente, redução do fator de potência da instalação e acréscimo no valor da taxa de distorção harmônica total de corrente. No trabalho em questão, todas as variações constatadas não ultrapassaram os limites estabelecidos pelas normas vigentes. Constatou-se, ainda, que a instalação do SFCR provocou redução diária de até 38% na energia ativa média consumida, considerando a fase na qual o sistema está interconectado / 2017-06-29

The study is focusing on comparison of efficiency and ecological impacts of photovoltaic power stations depending on their locations in the Czech Republic. The report gives us an overview of photovoltaic power stations efficiency and also their environmental value by minimising CO2 emissions due to replacing conventional energy technologies. The research is based on data taken from energy audits of photovoltaic power stations in Vidov (South Bohemia), in Hodonice (South Moravia) and Lahošť (North Bohemia). The measured data of efficiency and CO2 savings are compared to forecast data from numerical weather prediction models PVSYST, PVGIS and Meteonorm. The project revealed, that photovoltaic power stations efficiency directly depends on their geographic location. Decisive factor was sunlight. Paired comparison showed, that there is a difference between photovoltaic power stations in Lahošť, Hodonice (P < 0,01) and Vidov (P < 0,05). The difference between real and expected datas from each photovoltaic systems was conclusive (p < 0,01). Significant was also factor of month (p < 0,001).

Os sistemas fotovoltaicos conectados à rede convertem diretamente a energia solar em energia elétrica entregando à rede elétrica de distribuição uma energia limpa e renovável. Esses sistemas são formados basicamente por um conjunto de módulos fotovoltaicos e inversores que são responsáveis por converterem energia elétrica em corrente contínua em energia elétrica em corrente alternada. Esta Tese apresenta um estudo de características elétricas e térmicas de inversores utilizados em sistemas conectados à rede a partir de uma análise teórica e experimental. Os ensaios de inversores foram realizados em duas etapas: a primeira etapa foi desenvolvida no Laboratório de Energia Solar (Labsol) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) onde foi utilizado um sistema fotovoltaico de 4,8 kWP e dez modelos de inversores de diferentes fabricantes. As características elétricas de inversores que foram medidas e analisadas são: eficiência de conversão de corrente contínua em corrente alternada, eficiência do seguidor do ponto de máxima potência, fator de potência e distorção harmônica na corrente e na tensão. Ensaios térmicos de inversores também foram realizados e os resultados apresentados e analisados. A segunda etapa dos ensaios foi desenvolvida no Laboratório de Energia Solar Fotovoltaica do Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT) na Espanha onde foi utilizado um sistema fotovoltaico de 3 kWP e sete modelos de inversores de diferentes fabricantes. Os inversores ensaiados são monofásicos de potência até 5 kW e de diferentes topologias (transformador de alta freqüência, baixa freqüência e sem transformador). A influência da tensão CC de entrada no comportamento da eficiência CC/CA e do fator de potência foi analisada. Os resultados obtidos nos ensaios permitiram o desenvolvimento de modelos matemáticos que descrevem o comportamento elétrico e térmico de inversores. Os modelos matemáticos propostos foram inseridos em um programa de simulação computacional desenvolvido no Labsol da UFRGS, denominado FVConect. A evolução dos resultados da simulação comparada valida plenamente os modelos utilizados. A análise dos resultados do comportamento de inversores amplia o conhecimento sobre o funcionamento desses equipamentos e a sua interação dinâmica com os demais componentes de sistemas fotovoltaicos conectados à rede. / Grid-connected photovoltaic systems directly convert solar energy into electrical energy delivering to the distribution grid a clean and renewable energy. These systems are basically formed by an array of photovoltaic modules and inverters. The inverters are responsible for converting direct current to alternating current. This Thesis presents a study of electrical and thermal characteristics of inverters used in grid-connected photovoltaic systems from a theoretical and experimental analysis. The inverters tests were carried out in two stages: the first stage was performed at Solar Energy Laboratory at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul where it was used a 4,8 KWP grid-connected photovoltaic system and ten inverters of different manufacturers. The proposed mathematical models were inserted into computer simulation software developed at UFRGS named FVConect. The evolution of the simulation results compared to the experimental results validates the proposed models. The analysis of the behavior of the inverters improves the understanding of the operating of such equipment and their dynamic interaction with other grid-connected photovoltaic system components.

Une cellule photovoltaïque organique (OPV) consiste en un empilement de couches minces et comporte une électrode transparente, constituée le plus souvent par une couche mince d’oxyde d’indium dopé à l’étain (ITO). Des matériaux alternatifs sans indium, déposables par voie liquide à l’air ambiant, et sur de grandes surfaces souples plus adaptées à la filière OPV, sont actuellement l’objet d’un grand nombre de recherches. Les nanofils d’argent (Ag NWs) représentent un sérieux candidat pour remplacer l’ITO et sont l’objet de ce travail de thèse. Une méthode de dépôt des Ag NWs par spray à air sur des substrats de PET a été développée en vue de réaliser des films conducteurs et transparents sur une grande surface souple. Puis ces électrodes transparentes ont été intégrées dans des cellules OPV sur substrat souple avec des rendements comparables à l’ITO. Les dépôts par voie liquide ont été privilégiés (spray-coating, Dr Blade), excepté pour l’électrode supérieure en argent, évaporée sous vide. Enfin les cellules ont été interconnectées en série pour former un module OPV, plus efficace en termes de puissance électrique délivrée. Une étude sur l’ablation sélective de couches de l’empilement OPV par laser est également présentée pour la fabrication de modules. / An organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell consists of a thin-layer stack which includes a transparent electrode, usually made of indium tin-doped oxide (ITO). Alternative, indium-free materials, deposited in air with a wet deposition process on large, flexible substrates that are more compatible with the OPV field are currently widely investigated. Silver nanowires (Ag NWs), which represent a serious candidate to replace ITO, are the subject of this thesis. In this work a method to deposit Ag NWs on PET substrates by air spray-coating has been developed : efficient patterned conductive and transparent coatings could be processed on a large, flexible substrate. This transparent electrode was then integrated in flexible and large area OPV cells, with efficiencies comparable to ITO. Wet deposition techniques were preferred except for the silver top electrode, evaporated under vacuum. OPV cells were eventually interconnected in series in order to make an OPV module, delivering a higher electrical output. A study on selective laser ablation of layers in the OPV stack is also shown towards module processing.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In photovoltaic systems, the lowest energy cost is not always achieved by an inverter with minimized cost or maximized efficiency. It is important to adopt methodologies that optimize the balance between system losses and costs. The Levelized Cost of Electricity minimization methodology, presented in literature, obtains an optimized inverter design, but needs variables like discount rate and maintenance costs. This study proposes a methodology for design and comparison of photovoltaic inverters that is simpler and is based on the adoption of a cost per Watt reference. It minimizes the energy cost considering the photovoltaic initial system cost and design specifications. This methodology is presented in detail, including an inverter design example that analyses losses and cost of all components, and also the irradiance of the photovoltaic installation place. Experimental results are presented to validate the proposed methodology. / Em sistemas fotovoltaicos, o menor custo da energia gerada nem sempre é obtido com inversores de custo minimizado ou eficiência maximizada. Para o custo da energia seja minimizado, é importante empregar metodologias de projeto que otimizem o compromisso entre perdas e custos. A metodologia de minimização do custo nivelado da eletricidade, a mais difundida na literatura, permite obter um projeto otimizado do inversor, mas necessita de variáveis como taxa de desconto e custos de manutenção do sistema fotovoltaico. Este trabalho propõe uma metodologia para projeto e comparação de inversores fotovoltaicos mais simples, baseada na adoção de um custo por Watt de referência. Essa metodologia objetiva reduzir o custo da energia produzida considerando apenas o custo inicial do sistema fotovoltaico e as restrições associadas às especificações de projeto. A metodologia proposta é apresentada em detalhes, incluindo um exemplo de projeto de inversor que analisa as perdas e custos dos componentes, além do perfil de irradiação do local de instalação do sistema fotovoltaico. Resultados experimentais são apresentados para validação da metodologia proposta.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This Master Thesis presents the development of a grid-connected transformerless three-phase photovoltaic inverter. The Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) three-level inverter was chosen for implementation. The grid connection is made with a modified LCL filter (MLCL), where the common point of the output filter capacitors is connected directly to the dc bus central point (neutral point). The MLCL filter reduces the leakage current of photovoltaic system and attenuates the current harmonics injected in the grid. A passive damping of MLCL filter resonance peak was employed in order to avoid instability in the grid connection. In this sense, this Master Thesis contributes proposing a passive damping design method which is based not only on the stability requirement, but also considers the leakage current of photovoltaic system, once that passive damping impacts on the high frequency components of voltage on parasitic capacitance. Therefore, based on leakage current limit and current loop stability, a range for the damping resistance was obtained. The control system of the threephase inverter was developed in a synchronous reference frame (dq0), where the proper alignment with the grid voltage reference vector allows the independent control of active and reactive power inject in the grid. Simulation and experimental results are shown to evaluate the inverter performance and to validate the theoretical analysis. / Esta Dissertação de Mestrado apresenta o desenvolvimento de um inversor fotovoltaico trifásico não isolado conectado à rede. A topologia desenvolvida foi a de um inversor trifásico três níveis com ponto neutro grampeado (NPC Neutral Point Clamped). A conexão com a rede é feita através de um filtro LCL modificado (LCLM), que possui o ponto comum dos seus capacitores conectado ao ponto central do barramento CC do inversor. O filtro LCLM possui a finalidade de reduzir a corrente de fuga do sistema fotovoltaico ao mesmo tempo em que atenua os harmônicos de corrente injetados na rede. De modo a evitar problemas de instabilidade da malha de corrente do inversor, um sistema de amortecimento passivo do pico de ressonância do filtro LCLM foi empregado. Neste sentido, esta Dissertação de Mestrado contribui propondo um método de projeto do amortecimento passivo que se baseia não somente no critério de estabilidade, mas que também considera a corrente de fuga do sistema fotovoltaico, uma vez que o amortecimento impacta na atenuação das componentes de alta frequência da tensão sobre a capacitância parasita dos módulos fotovoltaicos. Com isso, uma faixa de valores para a resistência de amortecimento foi obtida a partir do limite permitido para a corrente de fuga e da estabilidade da malha de corrente. O sistema de controle do inversor trifásico foi desenvolvido com base no sistema de coordenadas síncronas dq0, cujo correto alinhamento com o vetor de referência das tensões da rede permite o controle independente das potências ativa e reativa injetadas na rede. Resultados experimentais e de simulação são apresentados de modo a comprovar o desempenho do inversor trifásico.

In recent years, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have attracted considerable attention as a potential source of renewable energy over traditional materials due to their light weight, low production cost, mechanically stability and compatibility with flexible substrates in roll to roll processing for high volume production. In the OPVs interface plays an important role in determining the performance of the device. Interface signifies formation of efficient contact with electrode, film, and transport of free charge carrier, which results in better performance in the device. Interface engineering also helps in improving mechanical robustness of the device. Hence, understanding of interface, modification and its evaluation is important in fabrication of efficient device. In this thesis interface is modified such that the performance of the device can be improved (chapter 3 and chapter 4). In Chapter 5 and chapter 6 interface is modified such that device can be fabricated on uncommon substrate. Fabrication of device on uncommon substrates (fiber reinforced plastic and flexible glass substrate), has unique challenges. In chapter 5 and chapter 6, we look at how interface is modified to overcome the challenges associated and also understand the role of interface in improving the performance of device on such substrates is discussed. In Chapter 1 we discuss about working of organic solar cells and the challenges associated in device fabrication. Understanding of interface to overcome challenges associated is explained. It also covers brief introduction to the succeeding chapters discussed in the thesis and its recent developments. To understand the properties of interface and to analyze device performance various characterization techniques have been used are discussed in chapter 2. This chapter also covers the materials and general device fabrication techniques used in this thesis. In chapter 3, a narrow bandgap (NBG) polymer used as a near IR sensitizer in P3HT: PCBM blend. Since, P3HT with a band gap of ~1.9 eV, the commonly used p-type material absorbs approximately ~25 % of incident light. Hence, MP2 (NBG polymer) is used along with P3HT: PCBM in active layer to form a ternary blend, which helps in increased absorption. Basic properties of MP2 are evaluated using UV-visible spectroscopy, differential scanning calaorimetry(DSC), thermogravimetric analyser (TGA), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. To evaluate enhanced absorption of ternary UV-visible spectroscopy is carried out. Charge transfer from one moiety to other in ternary blend is evaluated using PL and Ttime resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC). Morphology of the ternary is assessed using atomic force microscope (AFM) and structural characterization is carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Performance of the device is evaluated by current-voltage (J-V) characterizations. Further improved performance is supported by external quantum efficiency (EQE). Charge extraction with linear increasing voltage (CELIV) of the device is done to evaluate the recombination mechanism in the device and to assess the performance of the device. One-dimensional (1D) ZnO nanostructures provide direct paths for charge transport, and also offer large interfacial area to make them an ideal electron transport layer. In chapter 4 highly aligned ZnO nanorods is used as electron transport layer in OPV. Growth of ZnO nanorods is two-step processes, growing seed layer and growing ZnO nanorods from hydrothermal process using an appropriate seed layer. Two different soft-chemical solution- growth methods (upward and downward) are developed to fabricate self-assembled, oriented ZnO nanorods. Substrate mounting, surface properties and optical transmittance are optimized by varying the nanorods growth conditions. Further the ZnO nanorods are UV ozone treated and its effect on performance of nanostructured buffer layer based device is evaluated. In Chapter 5 OPV is fabricated on an opaque FRP substrate. Fabrication of OPV device on opaque substrate plastic is unique and hence understanding various properties is vital. Such devices fabrication require bottom up approach, with transparent electrode as the top electrode and metal electrode on the surface of FRP. FRP has inherent rough surface of about few microns RMS roughness. In order to reduce the roughness of the substrate FRP was planarized. The planarized layer is chosen, such that it chemically binds with the substrate. The chemical interaction between substrate and planarizing coating is evaluated by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The binding of planarized layer and FRP is evaluated using nanoscratch technique and surface energies are studied using contact angle measurements. In addition, adhesion properties of the metal electrodes, which are deposited on planarized FRP are evaluated using nanoscratch technique. Fabrication of OPV requires a top transparent electrode. Simple spin coating technique is used to optimize the top electrode. The property of top electrode is evaluated using UV-visible spectroscopy for transmittance, and sheet resistance of the electrode is characterized. OPV device is fabricated on planarized FRP substrate using optimized top transparent electrode and its PV properties is evaluated. Performance of the device is evaluated for two different bottom electrodes and further performance of device is enhanced using buffer layers. Usually flexible OPVs are fabricated on plastic substrate such as PET, PEN. However they are not structurally stable at high temperatures and have high oxygen and moisture Permeability. In Chapter 6 Organic based photovoltaic devices were fabricated on flexible glass. Flexible glass has high strength and it is also known for low oxygen and moisture permeability. Fabrication of device on flexible glass has never been done before and hence, generation of data is necessary for commercialization of the technology. Device fabrication is optimized by using two different transparent conducting layers (ITO- sputter deposited, PEDOT: PSS-solution processed) and device performance was evaluated for both. Since the substrate is flexible in nature understanding the performance of the device during flexing is important. For this 2-parallel plate flexural apparatus is fabricated for in-situ measurements along with current voltage measurements. These devices are flexed cyclically and performance of device is evaluated. Therefore, work discussed in the thesis show by modifying the interface of the device, and understanding various interfaces of the device is crucial for improving the performance of the device. Also by engineering the interface, devices can be fabricated on various types of substrate.