Solar Energy Conversion and Control Using Organic Photovoltaic Cells

<p>Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells are advanced, newly emerging technologies that are lightweight, mechanically flexible devices with highthroughput processes from low cost material in a variety of colors. Rathnayake et al. of Western Kentucky University have developed a nanostructure-based OPV cell. Presented in this thesis is a model and simulation of a generalized PV powered system that can predict the performance of solar arrays in various environmental conditions. The simulation has been carried out in Matlab/Simulink, and upon entering the cell’s parameters, it provides key electrical characteristics such as the cell’s I-V curve and efficiency information. The total system that is simulated consists of three elements: a universal two-cell solar array that can account for partial shading and manufacturing variation, a current-controlled power converter, and an energy storage device with charging and discharging capabilities.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master Science

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Year

2013

Author dc:creator

• Woods, Kurt Wade

Contributors dc:contributor

• Farhad Ashrafzadeh (Director), Keith Andrew, Hemali Rathnayake, Vladimir Dobrokhotov

• Photovoltaic Organic Cell
• Nanostructure
• Power Converters
• Energy Storage
• Environmental Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Physical Processes
• Physics
• Quantum Physics

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1315

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.wku.edu:theses-2318