Canadian researchers achieve breakthrough in PVT system solar cells

University researchers find amorphous silicon to be used for thermal and solar energy solutions Canadian researchers have made breakthroughs in solar cell technology, a breakthrough that has enabled the new generation of PVT systems to generate large amounts of electricity and heat. Researchers at Queen's University in Canada have found that amorphous silicon can provide more heat and its solar power is 10% higher than traditional crystalline silicon cells. This paved the way for the development of more efficient PVT technology. Traditional solar PVT systems generally use crystalline silicon cells that generate electricity but generate less heat.

Researchers at the University's Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering have designed and tested amorphous silicon cells in PVT systems. The study shows that amorphous silicon cells can increase heat and can increase solar power generation by 10%. Researcher Joshua Pearce said: “These studies have opened up a whole new world of amorphous silicon applications and invented PVT with high economic value. In Canada, we need both solar power and solar heating, but we have encountered “roofed real estate”. "The problem is that people can now obtain solar power and solar heating through a simple combination." According to researchers at Queen's University, amorphous silicon offers several advantages over crystalline silicon, including amorphous silicon. The amount of materials required is small, the manufacturing cost is low, and the investment returns are high. Queen's University research also showed that the thickness of amorphous silicon cells can be increased, and therefore can withstand higher operating temperatures in PVT systems. In his research paper, Stephen Harrison and Pearce introduced: “In general, the main point of PVT system is to cool photovoltaic cells to improve electrical performance. However, compared with solar collectors, the performance of thermal components is poor. The low temperature coefficient of crystalline silicon makes it possible for PV cells to operate at higher temperatures, which may make PVT systems more symbiotic.” The study has been published in Solar and Solar Materials In solar energy journals.