Tag: semiconductor

A Dive into the Technology Used in Solar PV

In a world where the consequences of climate change are increasingly apparent, the push to reduce greenhouse gases, mainly by burning fossil fuels, is in full swing. Investment in green energy, such as solar energy, is increasing with each passing year, and for good reasons.

Switching to green solar energy is now economically feasible. While there has always been an abundance of solar energy to tap into, the technology to harness ample solar energy for typical household or commercial use cases was cost-prohibitive. 

It’s estimated that the amount of sunlight that hits the earth’s surface in just one hour and a half is enough to meet the world’s full-year energy consumption. On average, 342 watts of solar energy hit every square meter of earth yearly (https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/135642main_balance_trifold21.pdf). This is a huge amount of energy, which, if tapped into by using solar PV, can make a significant difference in reducing carbon emissions. Recently, harnessing solar energy to generate electricity has become a viable option.

Solar PV technology such as pvgeneration.ie used in harnessing solar energy has improved tremendously in the past decade, improving the efficiency of commercially available solar panels. With increased efficiency, typical solar panels can generate more electricity and meet our needs, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Let’s dive into the solar PV technology that’s making harnessing solar energy possible.

Solar Photovoltaic Technology: How PV Cells Convert Sunlight into Electricity

A photovoltaic cell is a non-mechanical device that converts sunlight to electricity. Every PV cell is made of a semiconductor material. Semiconductor materials conduct electricity better than insulators but not as well as conductors, such as metals, can. When sunlight strikes PV cells, the photons can provide enough energy to dislodge negatively charged particles called electrons.

The dislodged electrons also attain energy to flow through the material, creating an electrical current that can be harvested to power electrical appliances. The front of the PV cells are treated to attract the dislodged electron or current of electricity. With the electrons moving to the surface of the PV cell, an electrical imbalance between the front and the back surfaces of the PV cell is created, thereby creating a voltage potential that allows the current to flow.

The vast majority of PV cells are made using silicone semiconductor material. The abundance of material and the longevity of silicon-based PV cells makes it commercially viable to produce silicon PV cells.

Every PV cell can produce as much as 1 to 2 watts, which is insufficient to power household or commercial appliances. However, when the cells are connected in a package to form a panel, they produce usable electricity. Typically, solar panels are connected to create an array, further enhancing the electricity-generating potential of the PV cells.

Once the electron reaches the surface of the PV cells, the current is extracted through a conductive metal and transferred to external loads – appliances that use electricity or storage batteries. 

PV cells generate direct current (DC) electricity. You can charge storage batteries directly with DC electricity. However, nearly all devices use alternating current electricity. As such, homeowners and businesses that invest in solar panels must also invest in an inverter, which converts the DC electricity that PV cells generate to AC command devices.

PV Efficiency 

One of the most essential measurement metrics for solar PVs is their efficiency. Understanding what happens to sunlight when it hits the PV cells is important to understand PV efficiency. When solar radiation hits the PV cell, it can either be reflected by the cell, pass through it, or be absorbed by it. The absorbed sunlight is the proportion of sunlight that generates electricity. As such, PV cell efficiency is the measure of the amount of electrical power generated by a PV cell compared to the energy of sunlight that hits the cells. 

The efficiency of PV cells depends on the intensity of solar radiation and the wavelengths of light the PV cell can utilise to generate electricity. The semiconductor bandgap indicates the wavelength of light the materials can absorb and use to dislodge electrons to generate electricity. As such, the efficiency of a solar PV cell depends on the bandgap matching with the wavelength of the light. 

Commercially available PV cells from companies such as NFC Energy in Meath typically have an efficiency of 15% to 25%. However, niche PV cells such as those used in satellites and experimental cells can achieve about 50% efficiency.

Other Types of Solar Cell Technology 

While the solar PV industry is dominated by silicon solar cells, there is an array of other types of solar cells. They include:

#1: Thin-Film Solar Cells – Thin-cell PV cells are made using a micrometre thick layer of semiconductor materials such as copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) or cadmium telluride (CdTe). Consequently, these PV cells are flexible and lightweight, which makes them ideal for portable applications. Thin cell PVs are also easier to manufacture than traditional silicon-based PV cells. 

#2: III-IV Solar Cells – The III-IV Solar PV Cells can be considered the most advanced currently available PV cells. They are named after the group of elements they are made of – that is, Group III materials such as indium and gallium and Group V elements such as antimony and arsenic. These types of solar cells are more challenging to manufacture and, therefore, more expensive. As such, they are typically used in high-tech environments where high power-to-weight ratios are essential, and their high cost is not a prohibiting factor, such as satellites and high endurance UAVs.

Additionally, research is ongoing to develop new types of solar cells that are cheaper and easier to produce while retaining high levels of efficiency (or even improving efficiency). Various national laboratories and private organisations are pursuing new PV technologies such as quantum dot PV cells, concentration PVs, multijunction PV cells, PV cells made of organic materials, and PV cells made of hybrid organic-inorganic materials (such as Perovskite Photovoltaics, which are a type of thin-film PV cells).

 

ATU Unveils New Partnership to Explore Economic Opportunities in the Global Semiconductor Supply Chain

A multi-stakeholder event, spearheaded by ATU, in partnership with Tyndall National Institute (Tyndall) and Ulster University (UU), was held at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) campus, Letterkenny on Monday, September 18, exploring the economic opportunities presented by the newly adopted EU Chips Act.

Semiconductors are the essential components of electronic devices, playing a vital role in the modern digital economy from healthcare to food security, global communications and future mobility. However, recent supply chain disruptions have led to a critical supply shortage, exposing Europe’s over-reliance on imports.

Through the European Chips Act, designed to boost self-sufficiency, the EU aims to double its current global market share to 20% by 2030.

Using case studies and panel conversations, “NW of Ireland and the Opportunity in the Global Semiconductor Value Chain” brought together prominent business leaders, policymakers, academia, and elected officials in Letterkenny to explore how Ireland can position itself as a leader in photonics and semiconductor research and manufacturing while simultaneously addressing the deficits in high-value employment and research infrastructure in the Northwest. Industry representatives in attendance included Eblana Photonics, Cirdan, Yelo, Causeway Sensors, Allstate, Kelsius, Firecomms, and Nuprint.

During the event, invitees got a chance to engage with distinguished speakers and international experts who shared their knowledge and expertise including Dr Wyn Meredith, Chair of the South Wales Compound Semiconductor Cluster, and Valerie Moreau of the Laval Mayenne Technopole in France.

ATU President, Dr Orla Flynn said: “This cross-border initiative unites universities, research institutes, and industry across Ireland to catalyse research, develop new technologies, drive productivity, create jobs, increase STEM diversity, and strengthen the regional economy. With the generous support of stakeholders including the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, local authorities, and industry partners, this consortium has the potential to play a pivotal role in boosting the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry across the island of Ireland.”

Professor Liam Maguire, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research at UU highlighted how the collaborative provision of cross-border education could significantly boost the regional semiconductor talent pool: “This is an exciting knowledge exchange opportunity to further cooperation between third-level institutions in the Northwest. Through collaborative research and development initiatives, as well as training and education programmes, we can support resilient semiconductor supply chains that foster innovation and investment into our communities through an inclusive workforce.”  

Speaking on behalf of the Smart Nano NI cluster, led by data storage company Seagate Technology, Matt Johnson, Senior Vice President Wafer Process Engineering and Systems, commented: “This new all-island collaboration will complement the Smart Nano NI cluster in developing advanced prototyping and smart manufacturing technologies across Northern Ireland. Key to success will be the combined expertise of our companies and the advancement of talent and research infrastructure. We are delighted to be involved in this exciting project which has the potential to put the border region on the global map for semiconductor technology.”

Professor William Scanlon, CEO of leading semiconductor research institute, Tyndall, said: “The recent adoption of the EU Chips Act presents a unique and timely opportunity for Ireland to bolster its leadership in semiconductors and photonics. 

As a longstanding innovator in semiconductor technology, Ireland must act now to build on its well-established strategic advantages in the sector, and mobilising public-private R&D partnerships to lead and leverage cumulative expertise is critical for our future economic success. 

Our alliance with ATU and UU represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to accelerate north-south research and innovation in support of a diverse and growing, internationally competitive semiconductor industry.”