PHOTOVOLTAIC+Living+Page

=Introduction= toc

// The portion will consist of written text on the module wiki page. This introduces the topic, media that will be provided,and the mission statement of the module. It gives readers of varying knowledge a good idea of where they need to start within the pyramid (top-middle-bottom). In the text there are various hyperlinks to sections within the module. If the module is to build a novel invention rather than repeat an existing method, the source of inspiration, or vision, should also be included here //

Photovoltaics (PV) is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material. Materials presently used for photovoltaics include monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide/sulfide. Due to the growing demand for renewable energy sources, the manufacturing of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has advanced considerably in recent years.

//[|Introduction to Solar Cell Technology]// gives a great summary of how solar cells work, types of cells, materials used, how efficiency ratings are standardized, as well as the evolution this technology has undergone
 * Introductory Module**

media type="youtube" key="2mCTSV2f36A" height="315" width="560"
 * Introductory Video**

An understanding of solar energy and the basics of electric current is required before photovoltaic concepts can be mastered. While these topics will be reviewed in this module, the following modules are more basic and can provide the foundation necessary to succesfully complete the Photovoltaic module:
 * Knowledge Requirements**

=Overview=

// This will be a brief description of equipment, materials, and tools used in the module. Subject matter, module difficulty, and research facility clearances (if necessary) will also be covered in this section. The overview should provide enough information to allow inventioneers to determine if they have the skills necessary to complete the module. //

Students will develop a working knowledge of photovoltaics through a variety of reading material, lecture content, and hands on exercises.

// *Rating system for each part of the module and comment section* //

Guided Tour
Difficulty Related Subjects Spaces Used

There are a multiple hands on exercises available to enhance one's understanding of photovoltaics. While most of these projects are optional, the following must be done in order to complete this module.


 * Required Labs:**

__Di-Sensitized Solar Cell__ Suggested Location: General Lab Space / Home Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Materials-
 * 1/2g Titanium Dioxide
 * Clear Vinegar
 * Detergent
 * Indium Tinoxide Glass
 * Cleaning Solution (e.g. acetone)
 * Tape
 * Glass stirring rod
 * Fresh Rasberries/Blackberries (For dye)
 * Ethynol
 * Candle
 * Pure Iodine Crustals
 * Potassium Iodine
 * Anhydrous ethylene glycol
 * Binder Clips

Equipment-
 * 300 Degree C hot plate
 * Voltage Meter (W/ Alligator clips)
 * Bright Light

__DIY – Solar Pannel__ Suggested Location: Any Knowledge Level: Basic / Intermediate

Materials-
 * Broken Solar Cell Pieces
 * Conductive Copper Mesh
 * Glue-gun sticks
 * Silicon coating

Equipment-
 * Multimeter
 * Conductive Pen
 * Glue-gun

=Expectations=

// This will be a comprehensive list of all concepts, tools, and processes that should be learned through completion of the module. This section will be used for evaluating the academic and hands on skills that are required for mastery of the module. //

--Basic-- Chemistry Electric Current Solar Energy
 * __Scientific Knowledge__**

--Intermediate-- Charge excitation and conduction Charge collection, and solar cell devices Crystalline silicon solar cells Thin Films Photoelectric conversion efficiency

--Expert-- New materials and uses

Cost and manufacture-ability Price, markets, and subsidies Practical applications
 * __Photovoltaic Specific__**

Voltage Meter Conductive Pen
 * __Tools/Machines Used__**

--Basic-- Complete 2 projects with satisfactory efficienty
 * __Projects__**

--Intermediate-- Improve on existing project with greater solar efficiency

--Expert-- Develop novel photovoltaic method or application Improve concept photovoltaic cell to marketable efficiency level

=Background and Definitions=

// This section includes all the information that one must be familiar with before they start the module itself. This may include other modules, random science subjects, historical background, or anything else you can think of. Any terms or concepts or abbreviations used in the module that the readers may not be familiar with should be defined here. //
 * Green/Yellow/Red tabs to indicate difficulty level*

__Wiki Definitions__
[|Solar Cell] [|Photovoltaics] [|Photodiode] [|Direct Curent] [|Solar Tracker]

__Photovoltaics Basics__
[|Ed For All - Fundamentals of Photovoltaics] An online course on the fundamentals of photovoltaics. Links to 6 textbooks that provide scientific background on solar energy and photovoltaics in engineering. Based off of MIT's open courseware and consists of the following 19 lectures:
 * 1. [|Background I]
 * 2. [|Background II]
 * 3. [|Charge excitation and conduction I]
 * 4. [|Charge excitation and conduction II]
 * 5. [|Charge separation I]
 * 6. [|Charge separation II]
 * 7. [|Charge collection, and the solar cell device]
 * 8. [|Review]
 * 9. [|Crystalline silicon solar cells]
 * 10. [|Crystalline silicon solar cells II]
 * 11. [|Thin Films]
 * 12. [|Review]
 * 13. [|Guest Lecture]
 * 14. [|Developing technologies]
 * 15. [|Photoelectric conversion efficiency]
 * 16. [|Photoelectric conversion efficiency II]
 * 17. [|Modules, systems, and reliability]
 * 18. [|Cost and manufacturability]
 * 19. [|Price, markets, and subsidies]

Here's a short explanation of what Photovoltaics is and how it works. It has some language that those with no scientific background might not understand, and unfortunately the links on the page do not work... But I thought it was still helpful and has some nice visuals. How Do Photovoltaics Work?

And here is a very short, but more basic explanation of Photovoltaic's aimed more toward those who have no experience with the topic. The Photovoltaic Effect

[|Seasonal and Hourly Sun Path Design Issue Tutorial] A great beginners guide to passive solar energy. This tutorial explains seasonal and hourly sun paths, and how they should be used when determining solar pannel placement.

__History__
The following provides a history of solar energy, the scale, and the need for Photovoltaic systems.

__Circuits and Electricity__
//[|Solar Cells]// discusses how to model a solar cell as a simple circuit as well as discusses various circuit related concepts such as current, resistance, voltage, etc.

media type="youtube" key="NXMgvrS8Gr8" height="315" width="420"
 * For those that know nothing about electricity, that seems like the place to start.**

Silicon
A good overview of Silicon Solar Cells media type="youtube" key="1gta2ICarDw" width="425" height="350" media type="youtube" key="AciEzxXUk8Q" width="425" height="350"

Ti02
[|Ti02 solar] A short article on Titania Dye Sensitized //Solar panels// with some very informative links.

Organic
Biomimicry wiki page

__Social/ Economic Impacts__
This is a chapter from, "Organic Photovoltaics: Materials, Device Physics, and Manufacturing Technologies." This chapter describes the socio-economic impact of low cost photovoltaic technologies. How photovoltaics fit into society is important to consider when creating them.




 * Ethics:** The following discusses photovoltaic cell efficiency and ethics.

__The Business of Photovoltaics__
[]
 * subsidies:**

[]
 * A New Business Model for Photovoltaics:**

[]
 * New Business Applications for Photovoltaics:**

[]

=Inspiring Ideas and Applications=

__**Solar panels in architecture:**__
//Solar Panel Application and Integration//: [] Aesthetically pleasing integration:
 * [|Profile of home in DWELL Magazine]
 * [|Several case studies in Finland]
 * [|Overview of solar panel materials and products from an architectural point of view]

__Solar Towers__
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Massive-solar-tower-in-Arizona-to-be-worlds-second-largest-building-126157183.html

media type="youtube" key="cLIiGTZxH5s" height="315" width="420"

http://www.enviromission.com.au/EVM/content/home.html

**__macro scale__**
When thinking about solar power and photovoltaic systems on a large scale, it is very important to keep in mind how to integrate the power into the national power grid system. This is a very complex and delicate process that can have dire consequences if done incorrectly. Here are some links with more information:

How to Integrate Solar Power into the Grid []

AZSmart Grid at ASU []

**__solar cells in everyday products__**
Put into backpacks and other products. Charge electronics on the go. Can be entrepreneurs and sell them.

Sell on Alibaba.com, even buy there too []

Futuristic Solar Product Design Concepts []

Solar Backpacks []

=Resources=

// This is a section where you can post external resources related to the module. This may be online discussion boards or physical locations like the maker bench. Store and website information that module related equipment and tools can be purchased can also be found in this section. //

__**Photovoltaics at ASU:**__
http://pv.asu.edu/ http://sustainability.asu.edu/research/project/463/advanced-photovoltaics-center

__solar companies__
First Solar http://www.firstsolar.com/en/index.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Solar

***Map of Resources***
=Related Projects=

// Instructables, youtube videos, tutorials and anything else that is similar to the module at hand should be posted here. Related projects should provide additional methods for solving problems, give people ideas for new modules, and supplement module learning with fun, hands-on exercises. //

Ti02/Raspberry Based Solar Cell
media type="youtube" key="WHTbw5jy6qU" height="240" width="392"

Make your own Solar Panel
media type="youtube" key="5Zy3ELxwdtE" height="240" width="392"

Emergency Solar Phone
media type="youtube" key="6o4_ps0epWs" height="250" width="447"

Installing Solar Panels
media type="youtube" key="gTT5Nh1jwys" height="315" width="420"

Recycled Solar Cell
AFFORDABLE -> $3 for package of "broken" panel pieces (still produce power, have to hand solder together) [] //Individual purchased shattered panel pieces of various sizes in bulk for $3. Using multimeter, can figure out conductive pathways on back of panel (there are lines) and wire them together. By then coating the entire thing in liquid silicon (think epoxy), you preserve panels from further damage and can custom arrange them. Would be great way to create structures based off Fibonacci sequence. Very interesting test.//

__Academic__
Duke researchers develop copper nanowire that may drive down cost of solar production:

__POLYMER PHOTOVOLTAICS: A PRACTICAL APPROACH__

This is a chapter from, "Polymer Photovoltaics: A Practical Approach." This chapter describes the materials used and a simple guide to creating a polymer photovoltaic cell from scratch. Interestingly enough, most of the materials used here are organic.



=News and Events=

// This section will exist to ensure that the module stays as updated and relevant as possible. Any news or scientific breakthroughs related to module subject matter can be found here. //

[] Tracks the implementation of PV energy in the United States
 * NREL Open PV Project:**

This site provides news on solar energy, both from a business and research standpoint, and could be a great source for future module development: []

=Core Content=

// Here is where the the core of the module lies. It is the documentation and progress of the module itself. Many forms of media can be used such as excel data sheets, typed reports, pictures and videos of a project, transcripts from meetings, etc. This is work that the student has done, nothing that can be found somewhere else on the Internet or in a library. //

__*Link to wiki page for each students core project__

=Outreach=

//ENERGIZING ENERGY// //Seems like group of teachers but haven't fully perused article. The lessons are extremely important in how they approach exposing students to the topic of energy and all the different types.//

=Notes=

// in this section any collaborators can keep track of their progress, questions/problems they may be having, or anything else that may be going on during the modules development. This is an area where mentors will be able to provide feedback and students may ask questions. Each response should be dated and kept in chronological order, it may be the only part of the module in chronological order and may end up being a valuable resource to keep track of the process //

=Collaborators=

// a simple list of everyone working on a particular module. This will allow inventioneers to contact each other for help and also be recognized for their work. each members profile should have a list of modules they are currently working on or have completed. //

Kevin Martinez
 * __Creator:__**

Logan Van Engelhoven Jesse Weiss Ray Florant
 * __Student Collaborators:__**

=Knowledge Assessments=

*interactive quizzes*
Module completion will be assessed for overall difficulty of module and thoroughness of completion of the 'Core Content'. Related Subject projects will be assessed by an outside, independent source for completion and breadth of additional projects The spaces used by the module student will be judged my the level of spaces achieved and the

Testing of core content, the student will be graded based on the amount of Core Content knowledge learned.

After completion of the solar panels, they will be graded for efficiency, and a grade will be given accordingly.