Solar regenerative

Kota, R. Simulation of solar regenerative fuel cell system for a high altitude airship. MS Thesis, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 2006. 

It has been illustrated that polycrystalline materials can be operated in regenerative electrolytic solar cells yielding substantial fractions of the respectable energy conversion efficiency obtained by using single crystals. Pressure-sintered electrodes of CdSe subsequently doped with Cd vapor have presented solar conversion efficiencies approaching 3/4 of those exhibited by single-crystal CdSe electrodes in alkaline polysulfide PEC [84]. 

Table 1. Photovoltage Up, photocurrent ip fill factor FF and efficiency p of regenerative electrochemical solar cells... 

Fig. 5.65 Dependence of the solar conversion efficiency (CE) on the threshold wavelength (Ag) for a quantum converter at AM 1.2. Curve 1 Fraction of the total solar power convertible by an ideal equilibrium converter with no thermodynamic and kinetic losses. Curve 2 As 1 but the inherent thermodynamic losses (detailed balance and entropy production) are considered. Continuous line Efficiency of a regenerative photovoltaic cell, where the thermodynamic and kinetic losses are considered. The values of Ag for some semiconductors are also shown (according to J. R. Bolton et al.)... 

The theoretical solar conversion efficiency of a regenerative photovoltaic cell with a semiconductor photoelectrode therefore depends on the model used to describe the thermodynamic and kinetic energy losses. The CE values, which consider all the mentioned losses can generally only be estimated the full line in Fig. 5.65 represents such an approximation. Unfortunately, the materials possessing nearly the optimum absorption properties (Si, InP, and GaAs) are handicapped by their photocorrosion sensitivity and high price. 

The stability of silicon electrodes contacting an aqueous electrolyte is a severe problem in regenerative solar systems. As mentioned previously, the standard electrode potential of a silicon element is negative enough to induce an electrochemical reaction mechanism, giving rise to an insulating surface silicon oxide in the absence of complexing reactants. On the... 

The maximum open-circuit photo voltage, attainable in a dye-sensitized solar cell, is the difference between the Fermi level of the solid under illumination and the Nemst potential of the redox mediator. However, for these devices this limitation has not been achieved and Voc is in general much smaller. It appears that Voc is kinetically limited and the diode Equation 17.12 can be applied for an n-type semiconductor in a regenerative cell.23... 

Study of the Potential Distribution at the Semiconductor-Electrolyte Interface in Regenerative Photoelectrochemical Solar Cells... 

Regenerative fuel cell (RFC)—Solar-powered electrolyzer separates water into H2 and oxygen (02) to produce heat, electricity, and water. The operation can be reversed, so the H2 is used as a fuel to generate more heat and electricity. 

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