Back Amorphous-Crystalline silicon Heterojunction (BACH) solar cells which combine the benefits of back contact and heterojunction silicon solar cells have been fabricated at the University of Toronto. p- and n-type amorphous silicon deposited at low temperature (~<200 oC) by DC Saddle-Field PECVD system forms interdigitated hetero-emitter and base contacts on the rear-side. A photolithography approach using thermal oxide for electrical isolation demonstrates the proof-of-concept. Three methods for fabricating simplified and advanced BACH cells were explored. The best performing 1 cm2 cell showed an AM1.5G conversion efficiency of 8.11%, VOC = 0.536 V, JSC = 20.1 mA/cm2 and FF = 75.5%. The BACH cell performance is limited by poor surface passivation and un-optimized cell design. With completely low temperature processing, highly passivated front and rear surfaces, and independent optimization of front-side optical antireflective features and rear-side electrical junctions and contacts, the BACH cell has the potential of becoming highly cost competitive.

Back Amorphous-Crystalline silicon Heterojunction (BACH) solar cells which combine the benefits of back contact and heterojunction silicon solar cells have been fabricated at the University of Toronto. p- and n-type amorphous silicon deposited at low temperature (~<200 oC) by DC Saddle-Field PECVD system forms interdigitated hetero-emitter and base contacts on the rear-side. A photolithography approach using thermal oxide for electrical isolation demonstrates the proof-of-concept. Three methods for fabricating simplified and advanced BACH cells were explored. The best performing 1 cm2 cell showed an AM1.5G conversion efficiency of 8.11%, VOC = 0.536 V, JSC = 20.1 mA/cm2 and FF = 75.5%. The BACH cell performance is limited by poor surface passivation and un-optimized cell design. With completely low temperature processing, highly passivated front and rear surfaces, and independent optimization of front-side optical antireflective features and rear-side electrical junctions and contacts, the BACH cell has the potential of becoming highly cost competitive.

Current Source Inverter (CSI) topology is gaining acceptance as a competitive alternative for grid interface of renewable energy systems due to its unique and advantageous features. Merits of CSI over the more popular Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) topology have been elaborated on by a number of researchers. However, there is a dearth of quality work in modeling and control of CSI topology interfacing renewable energy resources to the grid. To enrich the study focussing on application of CSI for renewable energy interface, this thesis develops a multilevel structure based on CSI for three-phase grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) application. In the first part of research, a single-stage CSI interfacing to PV array is developed. The CSI-based PV system is equipped with Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT), DC-link current controller, and AC-side current controller. To eliminate the nonlinearity introduced by the PV array, a feed-forward control is introduced in the DC-link current controller. The AC-side current controller is responsible for maintaining unity power factor at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC). To verify the performance of the developed CSI-based PV system, a number of simulation studies are carried out in PSCAD/EMTDC environment. To illustrate the performance of the CSI-based PV system during transients on the grid side, simulation studies are carried out for four kinds of faults. Results obtained from fault studies are highly in favor of CSI topology and provide illustrative evidence for short-circuit current protection capability of the CSI. On the other hand, the VSI-based PV system performs poorly when subjected to similar grid transients. To extend the research on CSI-based PV system further, a multilevel structure based on CSI is developed. The multilevel structure is a parallel combination of $n$ CSI units and capable of producing $2n+1$ levels of current at the terminal of the inverter. Each unit in the multilevel structure has its own MPPT, DC-link current controller. However, on the AC-side a combined current controller is proposed. The design results in a high power rating with reduced number of filters, sensors and controllers. The developed multilevel structure can operate with PV arrays exposed to equal and unequal insolation level. However, when the PV arrays are operating under unequal insolation level, low order harmonics are generated in the sinusoidal current that is injected into the grid. Elimination of these harmonics is performed by implementing a modified control strategy in stationary reference frame that corresponds to the harmonic component that needs to be minimized. The modified control strategy operates in coordination with the existing DC-side and AC-side current controllers, and MPPTs. Therefore, real-time suppression of current harmonics can be ensured. Performance of the multilevel structure is verified by different transient studies.

Abstract The Dlx genes play an important role in the differentiation and migration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons of mice. GABAergic interneurons are born in the proliferative zones of the ventral telencephalon and migrate to the cortex early during mouse development. Single Dlx mutant mice show only subtle phenotypes. However, the migration of immature interneurons is blocked in the ventral telencephalon of Dlx1/Dlx2 double mutant mice leading to reduction of GABAergic interneurons in the cortex. Also, Dlx5/Dlx6 expression is almost entirely absent in the forebrain, most probably due to cross-regulatory mechanisms. In zebrafish, the role of dlx genes in GABAergic interneuron development is unknown. By injecting Morpholino, we double knocked down dlx1 and dlx2 genes in wildtype zebrafish to investigate the function of the two genes in zebrafish GABAergic interneuron development. By comparing different subsets of GABAergic interneuron development in wildtype and dlx1/2 morphant zebrafish forebrain, we found out that at 3dpf, 4dpf and 7dpf, double knockdown of dlx1 and dlx2 genes in zebrafish remarkably reduced the number of Calbindin-, Somatostatin- and Parvalbumin-positive GABAergic neurons, whereas the development of Calretinin-positive neurons is slightly affected. These results suggest that in zebrafish, dlx1a and dlx2a genes are important for the development of certain subtypes of GABAergic interneurons (Calbindin-, Somatostatin- and Parvalbumin-positive neurons) and may have minor influence on Calretinin-positive neuron development. This also suggests that different regulatory mechanisms are involved in the development of the different subtypes of GABAergic interneurons.

The aim of this study was to investigate electricity supply solutions for an educationalcenter that is being built in Chonyonyo Tanzania. Off-grid power generation solutions andfurther optimization possibilities were studied for the case.The study was done for Engineers Without Borders in Sweden. Who are working withMavuno Project on the educational center. The school is set to start operating in year 2015with 40 girl students in the beginning. The educational center will help to improve genderequality by offering high quality education in a safe environment for girls in rural area.It is important for the system to be economically and environmentally sustainable. Thearea has great potential for photovoltaic power generation. Thus PV was considered as theprimary power generation and a diesel generator as a reliable backup. The system sizeoptimization was done with HOMER. For the simulations HOMER required componentdata, weather data and load data. Common components were chose with standardproperties, the loads were based on load estimations from year 2011 and the weather datawas acquired from NASA database. The system size optimization result for this base casewas a system with 26 kW PW; 5.5 kW diesel generator, 15 kW converter and 112 T-105batteries. The initial cost of the system was 55 875 €, the total net present cost 92 121 €and the levelized cost of electricity 0.264 €/kWh.In addition three optimization possibilities were studied. First it was studied how thesystem should be designed and how it would affect the system size to have night loads(security lights) use DC and could the system then be extended in blocks. As a result it wasfound out that the system size could be decreased as the inverter losses would be avoided.Also the system extension in blocks was found to be possible. The second study was aboutinverter stacking where multiple inverters can work as one unit. This type of connectionallows only the required number of inverters to run while shutting down the excess ones.This would allow the converter-unit to run with higher efficiency and lower powerconsumption could be achieved. In future with higher loads the system could be easilyextendable by connecting more inverters either in parallel or series depending on what isneeded. Multiple inverters would also offer higher reliability than using one centralizedinverter. The third study examined how the choice of location for a centralized powergeneration affects the cable sizing for the system. As a result it was found that centralizedpower generation should be located close to high loads in order to avoid long runs of thickcables. Future loads should also be considered when choosing the location. For theeducational center the potential locations for centralized power generation were found outto be close to the school buildings and close to the dormitories.

Green power, environment protection and emission reduction are key factors nowadays in the telecom industry. Balancing of these modes while reducing the capital and operational costs are of prime importance.  Cost efficient and reliable supply of electricity for mobile phone base stations must be ensured while expanding the mobile phone network. In this context, solar energy, using sophisticated photovoltaic cell technology, is considered to be playing very important role. Currently, companies such as ABI research, Flexenclosure AB, etc believe that the solar powered cellular base stations are capable of transforming the telecom industry into one of the greenest in the world. Hence, lot of research is in progress across the globe to use solar power in telecom industry. In this thesis work, the significance of solar power as renewable energy source for cellular base stations is reviewed. Moreover, simulation software called PVSYST4.37 is used not only to obtain an estimate of the cost of generation of solar power for cellular base stations but also to obtain the system parameters such as the number of modules, batteries and inverters needed for designing the solar powered cellular base stations. The simulations were carried out for the Grid-Connected and the Stand-Alone solar power systems by considering the cases of New Delhi, India and Stockholm, Sweden. The PVSYST4.37 simulation results shows that the power generation costs for the grid connected solar powered system is less compare to standalone solar powered system both in New Delhi, India as well as in Stockholm, Sweden.

Hybrid solar systems as well as concentrating solar collectors are promising solar technologies. To run them efficiently in northern countries is a task Solarus AB is working on.The objective of this MSc project is to investigate and experimentally evaluate the option of implementing a light diffusing sheet in acompound parabolic concentrator (CPC) solar collector, called the “Scania Model”. This component should improve the non-uniform illumination of the photovoltaic cells in concentrating solar collectors.Therefore, scientific publications on this kind of solar collectors were read up on, e.g.Adsten, M. Brogren, M., Roos, A., Karlsson, B. Nilsson, J. and Leutz, R.After researching and procuring possible diffuser materials, experimental tests were carried out and the different materials were reviewed. Implemented in a solar simulator the IV curves of the collector with the different diffusers were generated. Furthermore, the influence of the materials on light was reviewed using daylight, laser light and an artificial light source. In the following, the light intensity distribution on the absorber of the Scania Model was defined and evaluated.The results of this project show that the main problem regarding diffuser material is to provide sufficient diffusion without much transmission losses.

The EU Directive 20-20-20 places high demands on new buildings and activities designed with a focus on sustainability with low climate impact. The use of renewable energy technologies are becoming increasingly important to lower carbon emissions and ensuring a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy supply. This becomes especially important in energy-intensive activities like office buildings or commercial kitchens which are characterized by high internal heat generation from appliances, machinery and people. By providing the business with electricity from renewable energy sources and recovering excess heat both money and the environment can be saved. The starting point of this study was to investigate a planned commercial kitchen on Svartsö in the Stockholm archipelago that is supposed to produce organic fresh baby food. The company behind the business wishes to profile their activities climate and environmentally friendly. The purpose of the study was to investigate the electricity production potential for a PV-wind hybrid systems on Svartsö and examine how much of this electricity can be integrated directly in the business. The building's energy need was calculated by a constructed model in the energy calculation program VIP-Energy. To estimate the production potential of the renewable micro-generation simulations of a PV-wind hybrid system with location-specific weather data from SMHI was designed and performed in Matlab. The study provides analysis and reflections of the results. The conclusion is that the electricity usage profile of the business correlates well with the production profile of solar power while wind power is expensive in relation to solar power.

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία εξετάζει την μελέτη, την εξομοίωση και την κατασκευή μιας νέας τοπολογίας για τη διασύνδεση ενός φωτοβολταϊκού πλαισίου με το δίκτυο χαμηλής τάσης του δικτύου. Η διάταξη που επιλέχτηκε αποτελεί την πρώτη βαθμίδα σε ένα σύστημα που χρησιμοποιεί μετατροπέα δύο βαθμίδων για την αντιστροφή της τάσης του φωτοβολταϊκού πλαισίου έτσι ώστε να επιτευχθεί η σύνδεση του με το δίκτυο. Η βασική λειτουργία της διάταξης αυτής είναι η ανύψωση και η σταθεροποίηση της τάσης στην έξοδο. Το κύκλωμα που μελετήθηκε είναι τύπου Boost με έναν μετασχηματιστή αντί για το πηνίο. Το πρωτεύον του μετασχηματιστή τοποθετείται στη θέση του πηνίου και το δευτερεύον σε σειρά στην έξοδο, έτσι ώστε να επιτυγχάνετε η περαιτέρω ανύψωση της τάσης. Η κατασκευή του μετατροπέα πραγματοποιήθηκε στο εργαστήριο και ο έλεγχος της διάταξης έγινε με τη χρήση μικροελεγκτή (dsPIC30F4011). Τα πειραματικά αποτελέσματα επιβεβαίωσαν την θεωρητική ανάλυση που έγινε και την ορθή λειτουργία του κυκλώματος μας. Ο βαθμός απόδοσης κρίνετε ικανοποιητικά υψηλός καθώς και το κέρδος τάσης του μετατροπέα. Η τοπολογία μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί με διάφορες παραλλαγές της και σε άλλα κυκλώματα επιτρέποντας έτσι την βελτίωση των χαρακτηριστικών τους όπως αύξηση της απόδοσης και του κέρδους τάσης. / -

Emerging financial and environmental challenges associated with conventional power sources have increased global interest in consuming unpolluted, renewable energy sources for irrigation sector. Solar energy may be an attractive choice in this regard due to its strong influence on crop water use and related energy requirement. However, a comprehensive approach for a reliable and economically viable photovoltaic (PV) system design to produce energy from solar source is required to accurately explore its potential. This thesis describes the development and application of a reliability assessment model, identifies a suitable solar irrigation management scheme, and provides guidelines for evaluating economic viability of a solar-powered center pivot irrigation system. The reliability model, written in MATLAB, was developed based on the loss of power supply probability (LPSP) technique in which various sub-models for estimating energy production, energy requirement and energy storage were combined. The model was validated with actual data acquired from the study site located at Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada and an excellent agreement was found. For example, normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) for the battery current was found to be 0.027. Irrigation management strategies (irrigation depth, frequency and timing) were investigated by comparing the PV system sizing requirement for a conventional (25-35 mm per application) and for a frequent light irrigation management strategy (5-8 mm per application). The results suggest that the PV sizing can be reduced significantly by adopting frequent light irrigations which utilize the power as it is produced during daylight hours, rather than relying on stored energy. The potential of a solar-powered center pivot irrigation system was revealed for three different crops (canola, soybean and table potato) at the site by conducting a detailed economic analysis for the designed PV system. High value crops with moderate water requirements such as table potatoes appeared to be the most feasible choice for the study site. However, the potential may greatly vary for different crops in altered locations due to management, agronomic, climate, social, and economic variations. It can be concluded that a holistic approach described here can be used as a tool for designing an appropriate PV powered center pivot irrigation system under variable operating and meteorological conditions. Furthermore, its potential can be accurately explored by conducting a detailed economic analysis for a given location, considering different available crop choices.