Sustainable coatings for green solar photovoltaic cells: performance and environmental impact of recyclable biomass digestate polymers.

The underutilization of digestate-derived polymers presents a pressing environmental concern as these valuable materials, derived from anaerobic digestion processes, remain largely unused, contributing to pollution and environmental degradation when left unutilized. This study explores the recovery and utilization of biodegradable polymers from biomass anaerobic digestate to enhance the performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells while promoting environmental sustainability. The anaerobic digestion process generates organic residues rich in biodegradable materials, often considered waste. However, this research investigates the potential of repurposing these materials by recovering and transforming them into high-quality coatings or encapsulants for PV cells. The recovered biodegradable polymers not only improve the efficiency and lifespan of PV cells but also align with sustainability objectives by reducing the carbon footprint associated with PV cell production and mitigating environmental harm. The study involves a comprehensive experimental design, varying coating thickness, direct normal irradiance (DNI) (A), dry bulb temperature (DBT) (B), and relative humidity (C) levels to analyze how different types of recovered biodegradable polymers interact with diverse environmental conditions. Optimization showed that better result was achieved at A = 8 W/m2, B = 40 °C and C = 70% for both the coated material studied. Comparative study showed that for enhanced cell efficiency and cost effectiveness, EcoPolyBlend coated material is more suited however for improving durability and reducing environmental impact NanoBioCelluSynth coated material is preferable choice. Results show that these materials offer promising improvements in PV cell performance and significantly lower environmental impact, providing a sustainable solution for renewable energy production. This research contributes to advancing both the utilization of biomass waste and the development of eco-friendly PV cell technologies, with implications for a more sustainable and greener energy future. This study underscores the pivotal role of exploring anaerobic digestate-derived polymers in advancing the sustainability and performance of solar photovoltaic cells, addressing critical environmental and energy challenges of our time.Please confirm if the author names are presented accurately and in the correct sequence (given name, middle name/initial, family name). Author 7 Given name: [Ashok] Last name [Kumar Yadav]. Also, kindly confirm the details in the metadata are correct.correct.

Harnessing solar power for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of coloured pollutants using novel Mg-doped-ZnFe2O4/S@g-C3N4 heterojunction: A facile hydrothermal synthesis approach.

The ability of heterogeneous photocatalysis to effectively remove organic pollutants from wastewater has shown great promise as a tool for environmental remediation. Pure zinc ferrites (ZnFe2O4) and magnesium-doped zinc ferrites (Mg@ZnFe2O4) with variable percentages of Mg (0.5, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 mol%) were synthesized via hydrothermal route and their photocatalytic activity was checked against methylene blue (MB) taken as a model dye. FTIR, XPS, BET, PL, XRD, TEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used for the identification and morphological characterization of the prepared nanoparticles (NPs) and nanocomposites (NCs). The 7% Mg@ZnFe2O4 NPs demonstrated excellent degradation against MB under sunlight. The 7% Mg@ZnFe2O4 NPs were integrated with diverse contents (10, 50, 30, and 70 wt.%) of S@g-C3N4 to develop NCs with better activity. When the NCs were tested to degrade MB dye, it was revealed that the 7%Mg@ZnFe2O4/S@g-C3N4 NCs were more effective at utilizing solar energy than the other NPs and NCs. The synergistic effect of the interface formed between Mg@ZnFe2O4 and S@g-C3N4 was primarily responsible for the boosted photocatalytic capability of the NCs. The fabricated NCs may function as an effective new photocatalyst to remove organic dyes from wastewater.

Environmental plastics in the context of UV radiation, climate change, and the Montreal Protocol.

There are close links between solar UV radiation, climate change, and plastic pollution. UV-driven weathering is a key process leading to the degradation of plastics in the environment but also the formation of potentially harmful plastic fragments such as micro- and nanoplastic particles. Estimates of the environmental persistence of plastic pollution, and the formation of fragments, will need to take in account plastic dispersal around the globe, as well as projected UV radiation levels and climate change factors.

Applications of different types of heat pipes in solar desalinations: A comprehensive review.

Desalination processes are energy consuming and it is required to apply clean energy sources for supplying them to prevent environmental issues. Solar energy is one of the attractive clean energy sources for desalination. In solar thermal desalination systems, different thermal components could be used for heat transfer purpose. In solar desalination technologies, heat pipe as efficient heat transfer mediums could be employed to transfer absorbed and/or stored thermal energy. The objective of this study is to review applications of heat pipes in solar energy desalination systems. Regarding the performance dependency of these thermal systems on the variety of factors, scholars have investigated these systems by consideration of the effect of different influential factors. Based on the results, it is concluded that use of heat pipes could lead to proper performance of solar desalination systems. Aside from direct transfer of absorbed heat from solar radiation, heat pipes can be applied in the storage units of solar desalination systems to keep the systems active in night-hours or low solar irradiation conditions. The overall performance of the solar desalinations systems with heat pipes can be influenced by some factors such as filling ratio and operating fluid that affect the performance of heat pipes.

Solar desalination system for fresh water production performance estimation in net-zero energy consumption building: A comparative study on various machine learning models.

This study employs diverse machine learning models, including classic artificial neural network (ANN), hybrid ANN models, and the imperialist competitive algorithm and emotional artificial neural network (EANN), to predict crucial parameters such as fresh water production and vapor temperatures. Evaluation metrics reveal the integrated ANN-ICA model outperforms the classic ANN, achieving a remarkable 20% reduction in mean squared error (MSE). The emotional artificial neural network (EANN) demonstrates superior accuracy, attaining an impressive 99% coefficient of determination (R2) in predicting freshwater production and vapor temperatures. The comprehensive comparative analysis extends to environmental assessments, displaying the solar desalination system's compatibility with renewable energy sources. Results highlight the potential for the proposed system to conserve water resources and reduce environmental impact, with a substantial decrease in total dissolved solids (TDS) from over 6,000 ppm to below 50 ppm. The findings underscore the efficacy of machine learning models in optimizing solar-driven desalination systems, providing valuable insights into their capabilities for addressing water scarcity challenges and contributing to the global shift toward sustainable and environmentally friendly water production methods.

Solar-powered single-stage distillation and complex conductivity analysis for sustainable domestic wastewater treatment.

This study investigates the efficacy of a solar-powered single-stage distillation system for treating domestic wastewater, supplemented with complex conductivity analysis. Domestic wastewater samples were collected from a municipal manhole in El Jadida, Morocco, over a 24-h period. The single-stage distillation system, designed for domestic wastewater treatment, utilizes heat to vaporize the wastewater, followed by condensation to produce pure liquid water. The system demonstrated increased distilled water production with rising temperatures, with domestic wastewater outperforming seawater as a feed water source. Physical and chemical testing of the treated water revealed significant improvements in water quality, meeting, or exceeding Moroccan irrigation water standards. Reductions in parameters such as biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended matter, and heavy metals underscored the effectiveness of the distillation process. Complex conductivity analysis provided insights into the electrical properties of untreated wastewater and distilled water. Deconvolution of complex conductivity data using an equivalent electrical circuit model elucidated the electrochemical processes during treatment, highlighting the efficiency of the distillation process. The integration of solar energy addresses water scarcity while promoting environmental sustainability. Complex conductivity analysis enhances process understanding, offering avenues for monitoring and control in wastewater treatment.

Experimental study on a solar-powered cogeneration system for freshwater and electricity production.

In this study, a photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) collector and a stepped solar still system were constructed and integrated. The PVT collector was used to improve the performance of a stepped solar still device. Saltwater enters into the PV-T system and the temperature of the solar panel declines, and then ultimately the efficiency of the PV-T collector increases. After leaving the PVT collector, the temperature of the saltwater increased and was used as a pre-heater for further evaporation in the solar still, which ultimately caused an increase in its efficiency. The more tremendous temperature difference generated between the stepped surface and the glass increases efficiency and produces more freshwater. A flow rate of 7.5 L/hour of saline water was used to study the efficiency of the solar still device and the PVT collector. The value of productivity of solar still system with photovoltaic/thermal collector was 0.76 kg/m2 more than that of conventional solar still. Despite the PVT collector, the daily efficiency of the solar still system increased to 34.8%, which shows an increase of 13.9% compared to the passive solar still device. Also, by cooling the PV-T system, the average electrical efficiency has increased from 13.1 to 13.7%. Production power reached 72.46 W from 65.96 W in two consecutive days at 11:15.

Recent advancement on quantum dot-coupled heterojunction structures in catalysis：A review.

Photoelectrocatalysis stands as an exceptionally efficient and sustainable method, significantly addressing both energy scarcity and environmental pollution challenges. Within this realm, quantum dots (QDs) have garnered immense attention for their outstanding catalytic properties. Their unique features-cost-effectiveness, high efficiency, remarkable stability, and exceptional photovoltaic characteristics-set them apart from other tunable semiconductor materials. Heterojunction structures based on quantum dots remarkably boost solar energy conversion efficiency. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the impacts generated by heterojunctions formed using diverse quantum dots and delve into their catalytic applications. Moreover, it sheds light on recent advancements utilizing quantum dots in modifying optoelectronic semiconductor materials for diverse purposes, ranging from hydrogen (H2) generation to carbon and nitrogen reduction, as well as pollutant degradation. Additionally, the paper offers valuable insights into challenges faced by quantum dot applications and outlines promising future prospects.

A review of hybrid solar desalination systems: structure and performance.

The purpose of this study is to explore the architecture and functioning of hybrid solar desalination systems and investigate their potential as a sustainable solution for water purification. The study reveals that solar-powered desalination systems offer a remarkable alternative to traditional methods, as they rely on clean solar energy and produce no noise or sound pollution. In addition, they have demonstrated cost-effectiveness in generating drinking water, especially in desert regions and inaccessible areas. Furthermore, the research highlights the significance of incorporating waste heat energy into the desalination process. Also shows that utilizing waste heat energy can significantly reduce expenses and enhance the overall effectiveness of water desalination. Through an in-depth analysis of the fundamental principles and real-world applications, this study underscores the importance and rationale for implementing hybrid solar desalination systems. By effectively utilizing solar energy, these systems provide a sustainable approach to address water scarcity and ensure the efficient management of water and energy resources. This study emphasizes the fundamental importance of the structure of hybrid solar desalination systems fueled by solar energy in the efficient management of water resources. By combining technological innovations with renewable energy sources, these systems pave the way for a sustainable future.

DFT study of the spectroscopic behaviour of different iron(II)-terpyridine derivatives with application in DSSCs.

Through a comprehensive computational analysis utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT), we clarify the electronic structure and spectroscopic properties of modified iron(II)-terpyridine derivatives, with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). We optimized a series of nineteen iron(II)-terpyridine derivatives and related compounds in acetonitrile (MeCN) as the solvent using TDDFT, evaluating their potential as dyes for DSSCs. From the conducted computations on the optimized geometries of the nineteen [Fe(Ln)2]2+ complexes, containing substituted terpyridine and related ligands L1-L19, we determined the wavelengths (λ in nm), transition energy (E in eV), oscillator strength (f), type of transitions, excited state lifetime (τ), light harvesting efficiency (LHE), frontier orbital character and their energies (ELUMO/EHOMO), natural transition orbitals (NTOs), injection driving force of a dye (ΔGinject), and regeneration driving force of a dye (ΔGregenerate). Results show that the theoretically calculated values for assessing dye efficiency in a DSSC correlate with available experimental values. The UV-visible spectra of [Fe(Ln)2]2+ exhibited a peak above 500 nm (λmax) in the visible region, attributed to the ligand-to-metal charge transfer band (LMCT) in literature, and a significant absorbance peak at approximately 300 nm (λA,max) in the UV region. The M06-D3/CEP-121G method replicated all reported λmax and λA,max values with a mean absolute deviation (MAD) of 21 and 18 nm, respectively. Our findings underscore the connections between electronic modifications and absorption spectra, emphasizing their impact on the light-harvesting capabilities and overall performance of DSSCs. This research contributes to the advancement of fundamental principles governing the design and optimization of novel photovoltaic materials, facilitating the development of more efficient and sustainable solar energy technologies.

Achieving Carbon Mitigation with Economic Benefits through High-Resolution Analysis of Renewable Resource Integration in Global Coastal Cities.

Coastal regions, home to more than half of the global population and contributing over 50% to the global economy, possess vast renewable resources, such as seawater and solar energy. The effective utilization of these resources, through the seawater-cooled district cooling system (SWDCS), seawater toilet flushing (SWTF), and rooftop solar photovoltaic system (RTPV), has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions. However, implementing these technologies in different geographic contexts to achieve the desired carbon and economic outcomes at the city level lacks a clear roadmap. To address this challenge, we comprehensively analyzed 12 coastal megacities worldwide by integrating geospatial building data. Our study evaluated the potential energy savings, carbon mitigation, and levelized carbon abatement costs (LCACs) from a life cycle perspective. The results revealed that using seawater and solar energy within urban boundaries can reduce electricity consumption from 1 to 24% across these cities. The spatial distribution of the LCAC for seawater-based systems exhibited more variation compared to the RTPV. By applying specific LCAC thresholds ranging from 0 to 225 USD/tCO2e, all cities could achieve both carbon reductions and economic benefits. These thresholds resulted in up to 80 million tonnes of carbon emission reductions and 5 billion USD of economic benefits, respectively. Our study provides valuable insights into integrating renewable resource systems, enabling coastal cities to achieve carbon and economic advantages at the city scale simultaneously.

Research on distributionally robust energy storage capacity allocation for output fluctuations in high permeability wind and solar distribution networks.

This paper presents a novel approach to addressing the challenges associated with energy storage capacity allocation in high-permeability wind and solar distribution networks. The proposed method is a two-phase distributed robust energy storage capacity allocation method, which aims to regulate the stochasticity and volatility of net energy output. Firstly, an energy storage capacity allocation model is established, which considers energy storage's investment and operation costs to minimize the total cost. Then, a two-stage distributed robust energy storage capacity allocation model is established with the confidence set of uncertainty probability distribution constrained by 1-norm and ∞-norm. Finally, a Column and Constraint Generation (C&CG) algorithm is used to solve the problem. The validity of the proposed energy storage capacity allocation model is confirmed by examining different wind and solar penetration levels. Furthermore, the model's superiority is demonstrated by comparing it with deterministic and robust models.

Effective-diode-based analysis of industrial solar photovoltaic panel by utilizing novel three-diode solar cell model against conventional single and double solar cell.

Currently, the majority of the country has moved to renewable energy sources for electricity generation, and power companies are concentrating their efforts on renewable resources. Solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass are examples of renewable resources; of these, due to a lack of non-renewable resources, the solar industry is expanding. All year long, solar electricity is available, and it creates a calm, quiet atmosphere. The majority of large and small companies, as well as individual consumers, have shifted to PV solar cells for electricity generation. A trustworthy and precise simulation design of a photovoltaic system prior to installation is required to predict a photovoltaic system's performance. The current research aims to build models for solar PV systems with one, two, and three diodes and determine which model is most appropriate for each environmental circumstance to forecast performance accurately. By contrasting the experimental data of solar panel with simulated results of single-, double-, and triple-diode models, this study examines the accuracy of each model. These models' comparative performance study has been done using the MATLAB/Simulink, taking into account the influence of changing model parameters and the performance of the models under varying climatic circumstances. These models, despite their simplicity, are quite sensitive and react to even a little change in temperature and irradiance. Under conditions of low solar irradiance or shading conditions, three-diode photovoltaic models are shown to be more accurate. We can forecast the power output of solar photovoltaic systems under changeable input circumstances by understanding the I-V curves with the help of the performance assessment of the models used in this work.

Site selection optimization for 100% renewable energy sources.

The increase in the use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) provides many advantages such as reducing the environmental problems and sustainability. In this study, a long-term optimum RES settlement strategic plan is conducted for 81 provinces in Turkey by considering real data. Biomass energy, solar energy, hydroelectric energy, geothermal energy, and wind energy are considered RES sources. Energy consumption until the 2050 year is estimated with the regARIMA method, and then a weighted goal programming model was developed in which the outputs of the regARIMA method and risk analysis are integrated. The results of the regARIMA method are tested, and the test results indicate that an R2 value close to 1 indicates that the model is suitable, a low and negative MPE value is neutral, and a MAPE value below 4% indicates high accuracy of the model. Using GAMS 23.5 optimization software program, the developed weighted goal programming model is solved optimally. In this integrated model developed, the objectives of minimizing the installation time, minimizing the investment cost, minimizing the annual cost, maximizing the carbon emission reduction, maximizing the usage time, and minimizing the risk are considered. When the results obtained regarding the number of installations according to the model are examined, the decisions are made for 53% wind energy, 23% biomass energy, 13% hydroelectric energy, 9% solar energy, and 2% geothermal energy. Computational results show that the effective solutions are obtained by minimizing the sum of goals values, covering all provinces in Turkey, and considering real data.

A modified particle swarm optimization rat search algorithm and its engineering application.

Solar energy generation requires photovoltaic (PV) systems to be optimised, regulated, and simulated with efficiency. The performance of PV systems is greatly impacted by the fluctuation and occasionally restricted accessibility of model parameters, which makes it difficult to identify these characteristics over time. To extract the features of solar modules and build highly accurate models for PV system modelling, control, and optimisation, current-voltage data collecting is essential. To overcome these difficulties, the modified particle swarm optimization rat search algorithm is presented in this manuscript. The modified rat search algorithm is incorporated to increase the PSO algorithm's accuracy and efficiency, which leads to better outcomes. The RSA mechanism increases both the population's diversity and the quality of exploration. For triple diode model of both monocrystalline and polycrystalline, PSORSA has showed exceptional performance in comparison to other algorithm i.e. RMSE for monocrystalline is 3.21E-11 and for polycrystalline is 1.86E-11. Similar performance can be observed from the PSORSA for four diode model i.e. RMSE for monocrystalline is 4.14E-09 and for polycrystalline is 4.72E-09. The findings show that PSORSA outperforms the most advanced techniques in terms of output, accuracy, and dependability. As a result, PSORSA proves to be a trustworthy instrument for assessing solar cell and PV module data.

Performance investigation of solar energy-aided compression-based building air conditioning strategies for variable climatic regions.

Decoupling cooling and ventilation tasks with an existing air conditioning methodology are a promising performance-enhancement technology. In this direction, different configurations of a desiccant-integrated independent ventilation element attached to a conventional cooling system are proposed in this study. This work establishes a quantitative comparative performance analysis among the different process air cooling (obtained through desiccant dehumidification) techniques for three different climates, namely, hot-dry, tropical, and Mediterranean. EnergyPlus simulations have been executed on a small-scale office building of 400-m2 area. The building constructional details and other required simulation input parameters follow benchmark standards. As the chemical dehumidification increases, the process air, i.e., supply air temperature that cannot be sent directly to the room, needs to be cooled. Three approaches for process air cooling have been considered: direct expansion (DX) cooling coil, indirect evaporative cooling (IEC), and sensible heat recovery wheel (SHRW). A solar collector assembly with a supporting heating arrangement is coupled with desiccant unit for regeneration. Outdoor air is used for regeneration in the case of the DX cooling coil and IEC, whereas return air is used in the heat recovery wheel case. Annual simulation results reveal that the SHRW-aided case performs superior than DX coil case for the pertinent climatic conditions, with 9.6 to 45.01% of annual energy savings. For the IEC, energy consumption was 1.8 to 18.38% less than that of DX coil. Also, using return air in this best-suited case reduces the net thermal energy requirement for regeneration by 14.63 to 71.65% with respect to DX coil.

Designing and testing low-cost solar water heater using date palm fibers and starch.

Solar water heaters are a type of renewable energy technology that converts solar energy into heat to warm water. Solar water heaters are becoming increasingly popular due to their eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and low maintenance requirements. In this study, low-cost solar collectors were developed using date palm waste (dried leaves) as thermal insulation. Date palm waste is a readily available and abundant resource in many regions, and using it in solar collectors can help reduce waste and promote sustainability. Two solar collectors were fabricated using crushed date palm waste, with one collector using the waste alone and the other mixed with starch. Tests were conducted in accordance with the European standard EN 12975-2-2006 and modeled the thermal behavior of the collectors. The results obtained showed that the prototypes of solar collectors performed well and exhibited behavior comparable to that of a commercial solar collector, with a production cost up to three times less. The use of date palm waste as thermal insulation in solar collectors is an innovative approach that aligns with the principles of sustainability and environmental friendliness. Furthermore, it was found that the leveled heating cost (LCOH) and the simple payback period (SPP) were 0.952 US$ kWh-1 and 2.472 years for the prototype without starch and 0.926 US$ kWh-1 and 2.397 years for the prototype with starch.

Exploratory study on the body distribution of skin color, pigmentation and, degree of tan in Central European Caucasian Women.

It is well known that skin color varies by body site and with season. However, little quantitative data on the topography of skin color and pigmentation are available. Therefore, exploratory cutaneous colorimetric measurements in 20 in central European Caucasian women aged 20 to 60 years have been made at 18 body sites. Tri-stimulus L*a*b*-values, hue, and chroma are considered to describe skin color. Based on the "Individual Typology Angle", the "Degree of Tan" was introduced to quantify the difference between constitutive and facultative pigmentation. Measurements were done in late winter and early summer to estimate potential changes by solar ultraviolet radiation. These measurements made evident that skin color obviously differs across the body in late winter. Even nearby body sites can be recognized as differently colored. A remaining degree of tan was found at permanent and intermittent exposed body sites. The remaining tan was not most pronounced at the permanently exposed sites but on the intermediate ones like the shoulder. In early summer, the degree of tan has most developed at the hands, arms, and instep, followed by the face. This study showed that besides basic differences between body sites in winter, accumulation, and degradation of tan also vary between body sites.