Two-terminal tandem solar-cells have a high efficiency of power conversion. One of their main limitations is the operating current density as the two-terminal tandem solar-cell is equivalent to electrically connected series subcells. Increasing the top absorber layer’s thickness will lead to an increase in the top subcell current and a decrease in the bottom subcell’s current. The subcell with the minimum current forces the tandem cell to operate at its value, limiting the overall performance. In this paper, a proposed solution for such a problem is introduced using a bottom subcell consisting of germanium-telluride (GeTe), which gives a high current and matches the top subcell at a thicker absorber layer. A proposal of three different tandem cells with perovskite (MAPbI3)/CIGS, perovskite (MAPbI3)/GeTe, and perovskite (MAPbI3-xClx)/GeTe have been presented. The proposed perovskite (MAPbI3)/CIGS has an efficiency of 30.52%, whereas the replacement of the CIGS bottom subcell by GeTe led to a significant enhancement of the efficiency to reach 35.9%. High efficiency of 41.7% is obtained by replacing the perovskite (MAPbI3) top subcell with perovskite (MAPbI3-xClx). A modified numerical algorithm is proposed to obtain the optimum thickness of the top subcell to achieve higher power-conversion efficiency. The performance evaluation and simulation of the designed tandem cells were carried out using SCAPS-1D. The temperature effects on the proposed cells have been encountered in simulation. The results show that the proposed tandem solar-cells have comparable performance and higher efficiencies relative to the published works.

Enhancing the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems has recently become a key concern because of the market demand for green energy. To obtain the most possible power from the solar module, it is imperative to allow the PV system to operate at its maximum power point (MPP) regardless of the climatic conditions. In this study, a comparison of distinctive Maximum Power-Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques is provided, which are Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Modified Variable Step-Size P&O, as well as Incremental Conductance (INC) and Modified Variable Step-Size INC, using a boost converter for two types of solar panels. Using MATLAB software, simulations have been performed to assess the efficiency of the solar module under several environmental conditions, standard test conditions (STCs), and sudden and ramp variations in both solar irradiance and temperature. The output power efficiency, time response, and steady-state power oscillations have all been taken into account in this study. The simulation results of the improved algorithms demonstrate an enhancement in the PV module performance over conventional algorithms in many factors including steady-state conditions, tracking time, and converter efficiency. Furthermore, a boost in the dynamic response in monitoring the MPP is observed in a variety of climatical circumstances. Moreover, the proposed P&O MPPT algorithm is implemented in a hardware system and the experimental results verified the effectiveness, regarding both fast-tracking speed and lower oscillations, of the proposed Variable Step-Size P&O algorithm and its superiority over the conventional P&O technique.

One of the most important challenges in the design of the piezoelectric energy harvester is its narrow bandwidth. Most of the input vibration sources are exposed to frequency variation during their operation. The piezoelectric energy harvester’s narrow bandwidth makes it difficult for the harvester to track the variations of the input vibration source frequency. Thus, the harvester’s output power and overall performance is expected to decline from the designed value. This current study aims to solve the problem of the piezoelectric energy harvester’s narrow bandwidth. The main objective is to achieve bandwidth broadening which is carried out by segmenting the piezoelectric material of the energy harvester into n segments; where n could be more than one. Three arrays with two, four, and six beams are shaped with two piezoelectric segments. The effect of changing the length of the piezoelectric material segment on the resonant frequency, output power, and bandwidth, as well as the frequency response is investigated. The proposed piezoelectric energy harvesters were implemented utilizing a finite element method (FEM) simulation in a MATLAB environment. The results show that increasing the number of array beams increases the output power and bandwidth. For the three-beam arrays, at n equals 2, 6 mW output power and a 9 Hz bandwidth were obtained. Moreover, the bandwidth of such arrays covered around 5% deviation from its resonant frequency. All structures were designed to operate as a steel wheel safety sensor which could be used in train tracks.

To examine the structural, optoelectronic, thermodynamic, and thermoelectric properties of KBaTh (Th = Sb, Bi) half-Heuslers, we used the full potential, linearized augmented plane wave (FP_LAPW) approach as in the Wien2K simulator. Generalized gradient approximation (GGA), technique, was used for the structural optimization. Mechanical stability and ductility were inherent characteristics of the studied KBaTh (Th = Sb, Bi). Having band gaps of 1.31 eV and 1.20 eV for the KBaTh (Th = Sb, Bi) compounds, they have a semiconducting character. The KBaTh (Th = Sb, Bi) compounds are suggested for use in optoelectronic devices based on studies of their optical characteristics. Thermoelectric properties were investigated using the Boltzmann transport provided by the BoltzTraP software. Since the acquired figures of merit (ZT) values for the KBaTh (Th = Sb, Bi) compounds are all almost equal to one at room temperature, this demonstrates that these substances can be used in thermoelectric devices. Additionally, we used the Slack method to determine the lattice thermal conductivity of KBaTh (Th = Sb, Bi). Our research shows that the half-Heusler compounds under investigation increase actuator response time and hence can be considered as good materials for actuators.

The primary purpose of recent research on solar cells is to achieve a higher power conversion efficiency with stable characteristics. To push the developments of photovoltaic (PV) technology, tandem solar cells are being intensively researched, as they have higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) than single-junction cells. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are recently used as a top cell of tandem solar cells thanks to their tunable energy gap, high short circuit current, and low cost of fabrication. One of the main challenges in PSCs cells is the stability issue. Carbon perovskite solar cells (CPSCs) without a hole transport material (HTM) presented a promising solution for PSCs’ stability. The two-terminal monolithic tandem solar cells demonstrate the commercial tandem cells market. Consequently, all the proposed tandem solar cells in this paper are equivalent to two-terminal monolithic tandem devices. In this work, two two-terminal tandem solar cells are proposed and investigated using the SCAPS-1D device simulator. Carbon perovskite solar cell (CPSC) without hole transport material (HTM) is used as the top cell with a new proposed gradient doping in the perovskite layer. This proposal has led to a substantial enhancement of the stability issue known to be present in carbon perovskite cells. Moreover, a higher PCE, exceeding 22%, has been attained for the proposed CPSC. Two bottom cells are examined, Si and CIGS-GeTe solar cells. The suggested CPSC/Si and CPSC/CIGS-GeTe tandem solar cells have the advantage of having just two junctions, which reduces the complexity and cost of solar cells. The performance parameters are found to be improved. In specific, the PCEs of the two proposed cells are 19.89% and 24.69%, respectively.

Organic and perovskite semiconductor materials are considered an interesting combination thanks to their similar processing technologies and band gap tunability. Here, we present the design and analysis of perovskite/organic tandem solar cells (TSCs) by using a full optoelectronic simulator (SETFOS). A wide band gap lead-free ASnI₂Br perovskite top subcell is utilized in conjunction with a narrow band gap DPPEZnP-TBO:PC61BM heterojunction organic bottom subcell to form the tandem configuration. The top and bottom cells were designed according to previous experimental work keeping the same materials and physical parameters. The calibration of the two cells regarding simulation and experimental data shows very good agreement, implying the validation of the simulation process. Accordingly, the two cells are combined to develop a 2T tandem cell. Further, upon optimizing the thickness of the front and rear subcells, a current matching condition is satisfied for which the proposed perovskite/organic TSC achieves an efficiency of 13.32%, J_sc of 13.74 mA/cm², and V_oc of 1.486 V. On the other hand, when optimizing the tandem by utilizing full optoelectronic simulation, the tandem shows a higher efficiency of about 14%, although it achieves a decreased J_sc of 12.27 mA/cm². The study shows that the efficiency can be further improved when concurrently optimizing the various tandem layers by global optimization routines. Furthermore, the impact of defects is demonstrated to highlight other possible routes to improve efficiency. The current simulation study can provide a physical understanding and potential directions for further efficiency improvement for lead-free perovskite/organic TSC.