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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Reflective Efficiencies Of Materials For Applications Of Bifacial Solar Cells, Michael Metter
Reflective Efficiencies Of Materials For Applications Of Bifacial Solar Cells, Michael Metter
Senior Theses
The bifacial solar cell is superior to its monofacial predecessor due to its ability to convert both incident light on top and reflected light from below into energy. The scattering of the reflected light is affected by the property of the material on which it is interacting. To date, little work has been contributed to studying the properties of these materials to determine optimal quantities for bifacial solar cells. In the first experiment, reflective efficiencies compared to the angle of reflection were explored for different grit of sandpaper in order to develop an understanding of how surface texture impacts reflectivity. …
Searching To Distinguish Defects And The Presence Of Negative Capacitance, Thaddeus Cox
Searching To Distinguish Defects And The Presence Of Negative Capacitance, Thaddeus Cox
Senior Theses
In the search for solar cells with lower manufacturing costs, thin film technology was developed. These thin films are only micrometers thick and are grown at relatively low temperatures, resulting in films with imperfections known as defects. Defects can cause thin film solar cells to have lower efficiencies than their single crystalline counterparts. In order to create more efficient thin film solar cells the physical mechanisms behind defects need to be investigated by sensitive techniques. Capacitance measurements of solar cells detect minute changes in charge in the material. For that reason, capacitance is used to electrically characterize the solar cell. …