Microdefect distribution in a monocrystalline silicon wafer is identified by saturating the wafer with copper at a high temperature followed by copper precipitate growth through rapid cooling followed by surface polishing and subsequent microdefect-decorating etching. The decorated microdefect field consists of etch pits that are formed by the difference in the etching rates of the precipitate influenced region around microdefects, and the etching rate of the surrounding defect-free silicon. Interplay between liquid-phase mass-transport effects and surface kinetics plays a key role in the microdefect decoration. It is shown that the macrodecoration of microdefects is typically realized in the absence of significant effects of the liquid-phase diffusion. The developed phenomenological model leads to classification of etchants as either polishing or potentially decorating and to identification of conditions necessary for an efficient microdefect decoration. The competing effects of kinetics toward microdefect decoration and liquid-phase transport toward surface polishing are quantified by theoretically derived solutions for the decorating efficiency and the polishing efficiency. Autoerosion of the microdefects by mildly polishing etchants is also quantified. Analytical expressions for the microdefect-decorating and microdefect-polishing conditions are presented. Finally, decorating and polishing etchants are experimentally identified from a group of etchants and the proposed theory is verified by experimental data. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Floating and offshore photovoltaic (FPV) installations present a promising solution for addressing land-use conflicts while enhancing renewable energy production. With an estimated global offshore PV potential of 4000 GW, FPV systems offer unique advantages, such as increased efficiency due to water cooling effects and synergy with other offshore technologies. However, challenges related to installation costs, durability, environmental impacts, and regulatory gaps remain. This review provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of FPV advancements, focusing on inland, nearshore, and offshore applications. A systematic evaluation of recent studies is conducted to assess technological innovations, including material improvements, mooring strategies, and integration with hybrid energy systems. Furthermore, the economic feasibility of FPVs is analysed, highlighting cost–benefit trade-offs, financing strategies, and policy frameworks necessary for large-scale deployment. Environmental concerns, such as biofouling, wave-induced stress, and impacts on aquatic ecosystems, are also examined. The findings indicate that while FPV technology has demonstrated significant potential in enhancing solar energy yield and water conservation, its scalability is hindered by high capital costs and the absence of standardised regulations. Future research should focus on developing robust offshore floating photovoltaic (OFPV) designs, optimising material durability, and establishing regulatory guidelines to facilitate widespread adoption. By addressing these challenges, FPVs can play a critical role in achieving global climate goals and accelerating the transition to sustainable energy systems.

The field efficiency of silicon-based solar cells is dependent on various factors including temperature. An increase in temperature results in a reduced efficiency of a magnitude dependent on the solar cell’s temperature coefficient. Furthermore, an increase in solar cell temperatures beyond levels specified by the manufacturer will result in a reduced lifetime and an increased probability of potential induced degradation and even failure. Researchers have created different cooling technologies to keep the solar cells’ operating temperatures to a minimum. However, no cooling technology in the literature is adequate for both land and offshore PV installations. A patented Innovative Photovoltaic Cooling System (IPCoSy) is presented in this paper. Previously published results have confirmed the cooling effect and feasibility using small-scale prototypes. This paper presents the design challenges and results of the full-scale implementation. The full-scale prototypes are the same size as commercially available photovoltaic modules, making them easier to integrate in the current market. Therefore, this research presents the results of testing full-scale prototypes while addressing challenges related to structural integrity and fluid dynamics. The findings of this research showed that the positive effects of this cooling technology range from more than a 9% increase in PV electrical energy yield, and thermal efficiencies of up to 56%. Finally, the outcome of this research will contribute towards the United Nations’ sustainable development goal of affordable and clean energy through direct operational efficiency improvements in PV systems, as well as the enhanced tapping of solar energy for renewable thermal energy production.

The impact of shading has been a prominent subject of discourse within the realm of photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting and is recognized as a significant detriment to the system’s overall efficiency. Nevertheless, prevailing investigations, which predominantly focus on the hard shading originating from building structures and vegetation, singularly address the umbra shadow phenomenon while overlooking the complexity of shadow properties and their varying intensities. In this context, this present research aims to analyze the impact of shading caused by thin objects, wherein shadow formation deviates from a singular-intensity umbra to a blend of umbra and penumbra, exhibiting diverse intensities. In the initial experimental approach, outdoor trials produced statistically significant findings, identifying both the distance and thickness of shading objects as primary determinants influencing the impact of thin object shading on the power output of PV systems. Furthermore, the analysis of the results revealed that under the specified parameters and assumptions, when considering a thin object with a thickness-to-distance ratio of 2.3 mm/225 cm, the resulting power loss of 1.65% is statistically insignificant. Remarkably, laboratory investigations unveiled a notable correlation between penumbra and power loss, contrasting with outdoor experimentation results. The findings highlight the distinction between indoor and outdoor methodologies, stemming from discrepancies in shadow formation characteristics, thereby emphasizing the necessity of acknowledging and comprehending these variations.