Technical Innovation

Group 6: Joshua Awopegba, Darien Mathura, Devinne Brown, Erena Pupista

Writing for Engineering

City College of New York

Julianne Davidow, Instructor

11/8/2023

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Introduction   3-5

Other Engineering Innovations   5-7

Technical Description   7-9

Process of the Innovation 9 -10

Conclusion     11

 

 

 

Introduction

In the vibrant metropolis of New York City, the energy landscape has long been dominated by conventional fossil fuels, contributing to the city’s bustling pace and towering skyline. However, this dependence comes at a significant cost. The city relies on burning fossil fuels, such as natural gas and oil, for electricity generation and heating. This reliance not only perpetuates environmental degradation but also exacerbates issues related to air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and the overall sustainability of the city’s energy infrastructure.

In envisioning the future of New York City, we stand at a transformative crossroads, one that beckons us toward innovation and sustainability. As a collective force, our team advocates for the integration of thin-film solar panels in the construction of new commercial building rooftops. Acutely aware of the environmental challenges associated with traditional fossil fuels, this presents a transformative proposal: the mandatory integration of thin-film solar panels in the construction of new commercial building rooftops.

Thin film solar panels present a compelling solution to these challenges. Firstly, these panels produce no greenhouse gases during energy generation, providing a cleaner alternative that aligns with global efforts to combat climate change (Bergesen et al., 2014). Their integration into the urban landscape would contribute to a significant reduction in the city’s carbon footprint, marking a crucial step towards environmental sustainability. The adoption of thin film solar technology in NYC offers several advantages. Apart from the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, these panels promote energy independence and Reduced grid vulnerability. By harnessing the abundant sunlight that the city receives. Thin film solar panels, with their lower operating costs, would contribute to the economic feasibility of transitioning away from fossil fuels. Also, in an urban environment like NYC faces constant energy demands in a cityscape space is limited and the demand for sustainable energy solutions is ever-growing. Thin film solar panels offer improved versatility, allowing for creative integration into existing structures and new constructions alike, enhancing the resilience of the city’s energy infrastructure. 

We are exploring the promising realm of Polymer Solar Cells (PSC) and organic photovoltaic solar cells (OPV). Now, why is this important for our discussion on thin film solar panels? Well, solution-processed solar cells, including PSCs, bring a host of advantages like cost-effectiveness and scalability. So, when we talk about thin film solar solutions, we’re essentially building upon the progress and innovations rooted in the development of these solution-processed solar cells(Wang, Qin, et al). Understanding their role helps us appreciate the broader landscape of thin film solar technologies and the potential they hold for the future. Our team proposes New York City needs to include thin-film solar panels in the construction of new commercial building rooftops. Thin-film panels produce no greenhouse gases while providing lower operating costs, reduced grid vulnerability, and improved versatility over competing solar panel types. 

Innovation Necessity

As we examine the necessity of our innovation, we navigate through the evolution of solar cell generations. From the high-cost, thick wafers of crystalline silicon in the first generation to the thin film inorganic semiconductors in the second generation, the pursuit of lower-cost electricity generation led us to the emerging third generation. This generation, housing solar cells like dye-sensitized, quantum dot, and organic or polymer solar cells, signifies a departure from traditional norms. 

What Sets Us Apart

Presenting thin-film solar panels as a unique solution for New York City In the bustling metropolis where energy demands are constant. Our proposal addresses the limitations of conventional solar technologies. Thin-film panels offer unparalleled advantages, producing no greenhouse gases, ensuring energy independence, reducing operating costs, enhancing grid resilience, and providing improved versatility compared to other solar panel types.

 

Other Engineering Innovations 

A thin solar film technology named cadmium telluride (CdTe), a type of silicon solar cell was developed as a promising innovation in solar panels. These CdTe solar cells would be considered the new standard for thin-film solar panels because they require less material to be produced than conventional solar panels. Additionally, the solar cells had an improved efficiency of 11 percent over the first thin film solar panels made with amorphous silicon, which was manufactured using random silicon deposits rather than a uniform shape (Harper, 2014). This meant the CdTe solar cells were easier to produce in large quantities as well since the CdTe thin film manufacturing process was more efficient than the amorphous silicon process. The CdTe panels had numerous benefits making it the clear choice for thin film solar production, except for one fatal flaw with the solar cells, cadmium is poisonous. This meant throughout each step of the manufacturing, installation, and recycling of the CdTe panels there would be a risk to the health of the workers and the environment. As a final nail in the coffin, the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances legislation has worked to eradicate any cadmium from being present in electronics (Harper 2014). To summarize, the cadmium telluride solar cell had plenty of potential over competing solar panel technology that was snuffed out due to the toxicity of the cadmium.

    

Figure 2. Key differences in the 3-panel types (Zagame, 2022)

 

Opponents of integrating solar panels into commercial construction often raise concerns about the substantial initial expenses outweighing the long-term benefits. Nevertheless, this argument overlooks the potential cost-efficiency of thin-film solar panels. These panels demand fewer materials in their production, reducing the cost per watt. Current market figures suggest that while monocrystalline panels typically range from $1 to $1.50 per watt, thin-film variants come in at a lower cost of $0.75 to $1.10 per watt (Brill, 2023). Although this difference might seem insignificant when considering large-scale commercial projects, these few cents equate to substantial savings, potentially amounting to thousands of dollars throughout the panel construction process. This financial advantage could be the deciding factor in whether to adopt solar solutions in commercial buildings.

Components of the Thin Solar Panel

• Thin-Film Semiconductor Layers:

Semiconductor layers, usually composed of amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), are the fundamental components of thin-film solar panels. The fundamental technology that turns sunlight into energy is formed by the deposition of these tiny, light-absorbing layers onto a base material, known as the substrate material. (David, 2023)

• Substrate Material:

The substrate provides the thin-film semiconductor layers with their structural support. Glass, stainless steel, and flexible materials like plastic or metal foils are examples of common substrate materials. The solar panel’s weight, flexibility, and durability are all influenced by the substrate selection. (Solar, 2023)

  Figure 3. Labeled Thin Solar Panel  (Leonard, 2019)

 

• Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) Layer:

The transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer is positioned above the thin-film semiconductor layers. This layer, which is often made of materials like indium tin oxide (ITO), allows sunlight to flow through while allowing the effective collection of produced electrical currents. (Stadler, 2012)

• Encapsulation Layer:

To safeguard the delicate semiconductor layers from environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and temperature fluctuations, thin-film solar panels feature an encapsulation layer. This protective barrier is often made of durable materials like ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or other advanced polymers. (Patel, 2022)

• Back Contact Layer:

Above the layers of thin-film semiconductors is the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer. Often made of materials that include indium tin oxide (ITO), this layer allows sunlight through while allowing the effective collection of electrical currents. (Hall et al., 2021)

• Junction Box:

The junction box functions as the main connector where thin-film solar panels’ electrical connections are made. It has connections and diodes that control power flow, stop reverse currents, and make it possible to seamlessly connect several solar panels into a larger solar array. (Chengjoseph, 2023)

• Frame and Mounting Structure:

In thin-film solar panels, the junction box acts as the main hub for electrical connections. It is filled with circuits and connections that control current flow, stop reverse currents, and make it possible to combine several solar panels into one bigger solar array easily. (David, 2023)

• Wiring and Connectors:

Individual solar panels within an array are connected by interconnecting cables and connections, which also create the electrical connection to the larger energy system. When it comes to transferring the produced power for distribution or storage, these parts are important. (David, 2023)

 

Process of the Innovation itself  

Early research into thin-film solar cells began in the 1970s. In 1970, Zhores Alferov’s team at Ioffe Institute created the first gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells. In the 2010s and early 2020s, innovation in thin-film solar technology has included efforts to expand third-generation solar technology to new applications and to decrease production costs, as well as significant efficiency improvements for both second and third-generation materials. Thin film solar technology captured a peak global market share of 32% of the new photovoltaic deployment in 1988 before declining for several decades and reaching another, smaller peak of 17% again in 2009. 

Like other solar panels, thin-film panels convert light energy into electrical energy by way of the photovoltaic effect. Unlike traditional systems, thin-film solar panels are very light and flexible second-generation cells. They are composed of multiple thin layers of photovoltaic, or PV, materials. The layers are roughly 300 to 350 times thinner than standard silicon, which makes the technology ideal for portable devices. Each cell is made of three main parts: photovoltaic material, a conductive sheet, and a protective layer. Other than their slim design, thin-film solar panels differ from traditional monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels in the materials used in production.

Low Rooftop Requirement and More Installation Flexibility 

Crystalline solar panel cells are 0.15-0.2 mm thick, whereas thin-film cells can be as thin as 0.001 mm and are also much lighter. As opposed to crystalline panels, which are installed on strong rooftops with a rugged mounting system tilted at a fixed degree, thin film panels can be rolled out and directly attached to the rooftop out and directly attached to the rooftop of your home or business. This allows them to be installed on any rooftop without racks, even one with weak support. So it’s easier and cheaper to install thin film panels. While commercial buildings all have different requirements for power consumption and space, let’s assume that a building needs a 6-kilowatt system for its roof. This can cost $4,500 to $6600 but can be further reduced with benefits such as the 30% federal solar tax credit  (Brill, 2023). All in all, reduced cost and flexibility make thin film solar panels more suitable for sophisticated building-integrated installations, while also satisfying the aesthetic needs of the architect.

 

 

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of thin-film solar panels in the construction of new commercial building rooftops serves to be a promising solution to converting New York City’s commercial district over to renewable energy. Beyond addressing environmental challenges posed by conventional fossil fuels, thin-film technology offers a host of advantages, including zero greenhouse gas emissions, energy independence, reduced operating costs, enhanced grid resilience, and unmatched versatility in installation. Despite setbacks in certain technologies like CdTe solar cells, the proposal represents a forward-looking approach to sustainability, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change. This proposal presents thin-film panels as a cost-efficient alternative with lower material demands than the inferior solar panel types. The historical evolution of solar cell generations underscores the necessity of embracing innovative solutions like thin-film technology to meet the growing energy demands of a bustling metropolis. By considering the integration of thin-film solar panels, New York City has the opportunity to set an example in transforming its energy infrastructure, setting a precedent for other major cities around the world.

 

References

Bergesen, Joseph D., et al. “Thin-film photovoltaic power generation offers decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing environmental co-benefits in the long term.” Environmental science & technology 48.16 (2014): 9834-9843.   https://doi.org/10.1021/es405539z

Brill, R., Olgetree, A. (2023, September 12). How Much Do Solar Panels Cost In 2023? 

https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/cost-of-solar-panels/

Chengjoseph. (2023, August 13). Explain solar junction box and its functions in detail. Tycorun Batteries. https://www.tycorun.com/blogs/news/solar-junction-box

David, L. (2023, October 6). 2023 Guide to Thin-Film solar panels. MarketWatch. https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/solar/thin-film-solar-panels/

Hall, R. S., Lamb, D., & Irvine, S. (2021). Back contacts materials used in thin film CdTe solar cells—A review. Energy Science & Engineering, 9(5), 606–632. https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.843

Harper, G. D. (2014, February 17). Cadmium telluride solar cell | Photovoltaic Efficiency & Applications.

https://www.britannica.com/technology/cadmium-telluride-solar-cell

Leonard, E. (2019, September 3). What type of solar panel is best? Solar Electric Contractor in Seattle WA | (206) 557-4215. https://artisanelectricinc.com/what-type-of-solar-panel-is-bes/

Patel, P. (2022, December 28). Paper-thin solar makes any surface photovoltaic. IEEE Spectrum. https://spectrum.ieee.org/thin-film-solar-panels

Qin, W., et al.(n.d.). Progress in Emerging Solution-Processed Thin Film Solar Cells – Part I:  Polymer Solar Cells. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 56, 2016, pp. 347–61,. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.11.063. 

Solar, S. (2023, September 5). What are Thin-Film solar panels? – Sistine Solar. Sistine Solar. https://sistinesolar.com/thin-film-solar-panels/

Stadler, A. (2012). Transparent Conducting Oxides—An Up-To-Date Overview. Materials, 5(12), 661–683. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma5040661

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, November 30). Thin-film solar cell. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin-film_solar_cell

Zagame, K. (2022, November 29). The environmental impact of solar panels – EcoWatch. EcoWatch. https://www.ecowatch.com/solar-environmental-impacts.html