Power performance of solar energy harvesting system under typical indoor light sources

Chen Yang, RuiPu Xue, Xu Li, XiaoQing Zhang and ZhenYu Wu

Renewable Energy, 2020, vol. 161, issue C, 836-845

Abstract: Development of Internet of Thing requires the high efficiency indoor energy harvesting solution using photovoltaic cells. This study presents the experimental investigation of the power performance of the solar harvester using crystalline silicon (c-Si) and Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) photovoltaic cells. Experimental studies include the optical environment setting, indoor source selection, the light source calibration and power measurements. The measured efficiencies of c-Si and CIGS cells are in the range of 1.5%–7.4% with strong source-dependency. Efficiencies of power conversion module varies in the range of 65%–75%. Furthermore, the efficiencies of solar cells and modules vary with the change of level of illuminance. Correction factors of cell efficiency and module efficiency are derived from experimental data. In general, c-Si and CIGS cells showed acceptable performance under wideband light source. However, their power outputs are limited under the various narrowband indoor light sources. Future development of the indoor-used photovoltaic cells may focus on the narrowband indoor light applications.

Keywords: Solar; Energy harvester; Indoor light; Low illuminance; System efficiency; Internet of thing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:161:y:2020:i:c:p:836-845

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.06.088

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