Abstract
The thermodynamic characteristics of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells are investigated from a perspective based on exergy. A new efficiency is developed that is useful in studying PV performance and possible improvements. Exergy analysis is applied to a PV system and its components, and exergy flows, losses and efficiencies are evaluated. Energy efficiency is seen to vary between 7% and 12% during the day. In contrast, exergy efficiencies, which incorporate the second law of thermodynamics and account for solar irradiation exergy values, are lower for electricity generation using the considered PV system, ranging from 2% to 8%. Values of "fill factors" are determined for the system and observed to be similar to values of exergy efficiency.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 153-159 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells |
| Volume | 91 |
| Issue number | 2-3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 23 Jan 2007 |
Funding
The authors acknowledge the support provided by Istanbul Technical University in Turkey and University of Ontario Institute of Technology and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in Canada. The authors also acknowledge the coordination and constructive comments of the Associate & Letters Editor, Dr. G. P. Smestad.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Istanbul Technical University in Turkey | |
| University of Ontario Institute of Technology | |
| Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada |
Keywords
- Chemical exergy
- Energy
- Open-circuit voltage
- Photovoltaic
- Short-circuit current
- Solar
