State-of-the-art review of 3DPV technology: structures and models

Cui, Yuanlong; Zhu, Jie; Zoras, Stamatis; Chen, Xiangjie; Bi, Haixia; Qiao, Yaning; Soleimani, Zohreh

Abstract

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd Increasing energy conversion efficiency from sunlight to power is one of the key solutions for the world's energy shortage and greenhouse gas reduction, but the conventional flat photovoltaic module without sun tracking mechanism has the low sunlight energy collection ability. This paper presents the state-of-the-art three-dimensional photovoltaic (3DPV) technology with high photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency, which is able to absorb off-peak sunlight and reflected light more effectively, thereby it can generate more power. At first, this paper is to catalogue and critique different 3DPV structures and models, as well as assess their characteristics. Afterwards, the main influence factors on the 3DPV structures and models including shape, height and spacing of the solar cells, latitude of the installation, optimal device design and shadow cast, are reviewed. Finally, the challenges and future technological developments of 3DPV structures and models are highlighted. This study demonstrated that the 3DPV technology can increase the captured sunlight approximately 15–30% in comparison with the conventional flat PV technology.

Citation

Cui, Y., Zhu, J., Zoras, S., Chen, X., Bi, H., Qiao, Y., & Soleimani, Z. (2019). State-of-the-art review of 3DPV technology: structures and models. Energy Conversion and Management, 200, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.112130

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 27, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Oct 5, 2019
• Publication Date: Nov 15, 2019
• Deposit Date: Sep 30, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 6, 2020
• Journal: Energy Conversion and Management
• Print ISSN: 0196-8904
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 200
• Article Number: 112130
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.112130
• Keywords: Solar energy; Solar photovoltaic system; 3DPV structures and models; Energy conversion efficiency
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2722893
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890419311367
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: State-of-the-art review of 3DPV technology: Structures and models; Journal Title: Energy Conversion and Management; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.112130; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.