Solar energy is the most promising source for generating residential, commercial, and industrial electricity. However, solar panels should be eco-friendly to increase sustainability during manufacturing and recycling. This study investigates the potential of using natural fibre composites as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) back sheets in solar panels. Furthermore, it examines the performance of sisal fibres coated with zeolite-polyester resin. The chemical composition, structural integrity, and crystalline properties of the composites were evaluated through extensive microstructural analysis. The results from the experimental analysis revealed significant improvements in voltage (8%) and current (6%) for the coated sisal fibre panels compared to conventional panels. Power output increased by 12%, and overall efficiency improved from 9.75 to 10.8%. Solar panels with sisal fibre sheets exhibit adequate tensile strength and impact resistance and reduce operating temperature by 2-3 °C, ensuring stable operation and minimizing heat loss. Statistical analysis confirmed the reliability and significance of these results. The life cycle analysis demonstrated a 60% reduction in CO emissions and a 50% decrease in energy consumption during the production, utilization and disposal of sisal fibre sheets. These findings underscore the viability of natural fibre composites in enhancing the performance and sustainability of solar panels.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71108-9 | DOI Listing |
Sci Total Environ
January 2025
Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
An agrivoltaic system (AVS), wherein crops and electricity are simultaneously produced on the same agricultural land, contributes to renewable energy production and food security. AVS is expected to expand energy production in rural areas; however, its energy balance has not been comprehensively investigated. In this study, the energy balance of an AVS established in 2021 in the paddy fields on Shonai Plain was determined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Computational Data Science Program, College of Computational and Natural Science, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This study presents an in-depth analysis and evaluation of the performance of a standard 200 W solar cell, focusing on the energy and exergy aspects. A significant research gap exists in the comprehensive integration of numerical models with advanced machine-learning approaches, specifically emotional artificial neural networks (EANN), to simulate and optimize the electrical characteristics and efficiency of solar panels. To address this gap, a numerical model alongside a novel EANN was employed to simulate the system's electrical characteristics, including open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, system resistances, maximum power point characteristics, and characteristic curves.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Institute of Training and International Cooperation (ITIC), University of Transport Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Solar energy generated from photovoltaic panel is an important energy source that brings many benefits to people and the environment. This is a growing trend globally and plays an increasingly important role in the future of the energy industry. However, it intermittent nature and potential for distributed system use require accurate forecasting to balance supply and demand, optimize energy storage, and manage grid stability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLight Sci Appl
January 2025
Executive Management College of CHN ENERGY, No.7 Binhe Avenue, North District of Future Science City, Changping District, Beijing, 102211, China.
In 2012, Prof. Henry Snaith demonstrated the first solid-state perovskite solar cell (PSC) with an efficiency of 10.9%, igniting a surge of interest and research into perovskite materials for their potential to revolutionize the photovoltaic (PV) industry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWaste Manag
December 2024
College of Environmental Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China.
With the exponential growth of global photovoltaic (PV) installed capacity, the quantity of discarded PV modules continues to rise. This study innovatively explored the sustainable recovery and utilization of raw materials from discarded solar panels, focusing on the transformation of recycled silicon into microporous silica nanoparticles (MSN). Low toxic organic solvent ethyl acetate (EA) was for the first time utilized to reduce the viscosity of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and facilitated its removal.
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