Design, Development, and Characterization of Highly Efficient Colored Photovoltaic Module for Sustainable Buildings Applications

Mohammad Khairul Basher, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam, Md Momtazur Rahman, Steven Hinckley and Kamal Alameh
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Mohammad Khairul Basher: School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia
Mohammad Nur-E-Alam: School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia
Md Momtazur Rahman: School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia
Steven Hinckley: School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia
Kamal Alameh: School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-11

Abstract: The building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system is one of the contributors which has enormous potential to reach the goal of net-zero energy buildings (NZEB) that significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels that contribute to global warming. However, the limitations of the visual and aesthetic appearance of current BIPV systems make this aspiration unlikely. This study investigates the limitations of the single-color-based PV modules that are dull in appearance and have low photo-conversion efficiency (PCE). In order to solve this issue, we designed, developed, and characterized micro-patterned-based multicolored photovoltaic (MPCPV) modules which are applicable to net-zero building and development. Our newly developed MPCPV module exhibits an aesthetically attractive and flexible building color suitable for industrial application. Furthermore, the MPCPV module possesses an efficiency of 9.6%, which is 4.1% higher than a single-color PV module (5.5%) but closer to conventional thin-film PV modules. In addition, the other output parameters, such as short-circuit current (I sc ), open-circuit voltage (V oc ), maximum power (P max ), and fill factor (FF), indicate that our developed colored PV module is suitable for modern infrastructures that will enable energy generation on-site without compromising the aesthetic appearance. Finally, this research will have a substantial influence on the NZEB and will play an important part in the development of a sustainable environment.

Keywords: BIPV; colored PV module; building applications; solar energy; cadmium telluride PV (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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