Luke O. Jones

Renewable Energy Systems (United Kingdom)

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Co-Authors

John M. Walls

Loughborough University

Adam M. Law

Loughborough University

Ali Abbas

Renewable Energy Systems (United Kingdom)

Jake W. Bowers

Renewable Energy Systems (United Kingdom)

Mustafa Togay

Renewable Energy Systems (United Kingdom)

Luksa Kujovic

Loughborough University

Ochai Oklobia

Swansea University

S.J.C. Irvine

Swansea University

Xiaolei Liu

University of Jinan

Kieran M. Curson

Loughborough University

Cooperative Institutions

Loughborough University

Renewable Energy Systems (United Kingdom)

First Solar (United States)

Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Swansea University

Renewable Energy Systems (United States)

Systems Technology (United States)

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Colorado State University

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Multilayer Antireflection Coatings for Cover Glass on Silicon Solar Modules

IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics (2022)

Adam M. Law Farwah Bukhari Luke O. Jones Patrick Isherwood John M. Walls

The cover glass on solar modules provides protection for the underlying solar cells but also leads to two forms of power loss: reflection losses and soiling losses. In this work, we report on the design of a broadband multilayer antireflection (MAR) coating designed for use with silicon modules and its advantages over commercial porous SiO

$_{2}$

sol-gel coatings. The six-layer antireflection coating comprising SiO

$_{2}$

and ZrO

$_{2}$

has then been deposited on glass using high-rate pulsed dc magnetron sputtering. The reflection losses are reduced by 2.4% absolute compared with uncoated glass, whereas commercial SiO

$_{2}$

coatings reduce reflection by 2.2%. The increased light reaching the solar cell improves the short-circuit current density ( J

$_{{{sc}}}$

) and spectral response, which increases the conversion efficiency from 17.1% to 17.5%, a relative increase of 2.34%. The coating is environmentally robust and abrasion resistant, whereas porous SiO

$_{2}$

AR coatings are susceptible to abrasion damage and water ingress. The sputtering process used to fabricate the MAR coating is used for high throughput applications by most major glass manufacturers. We also explore the addition of a thin hydrophobic layer of refractive index n = 1.35 to the outer surface of the MAR coating. Addition of the hydrophobic layer increases the water contact angle of the MAR coating from 7

$^{\circ }$

to 114

$^{\circ }$

, with a significant increase in antisoiling properties without compromising AR performance. MAR coatings offer improved light transmission and improved durability over commercial porous SiO

$_{2}$

sol-gel AR coatings.

10.1109/jphotov.2022.3189327

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Citations (12)

Degradation of ZnO-Based Buffer Layers for Thin Film CdSeTe/CdTe Solar Cells

Luksa Kujovic Ali Abbas Luke O. Jones Mustafa Togay Nicholas Hunwick

Degradation

Cadmium telluride photovoltaics

Buffer (optical fiber)

10.1109/pvsc57443.2024.10749687

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Citations (0)

ETFE and its Role in the Fabrication of Lightweight c-Si Solar Modules

IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics (2023)

Fabiana Lisco Farwah Bukhari Luke O. Jones Adam M. Law John M. Walls

Glass-free, lightweight, photovoltaic modules have the potential to enable new uses of solar in building integrated and vehicle integrated applications. Glass-free modules have the advantages of reduced weight, lower-cost mounting solutions, and reduced transportation costs. Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) is usually considered a suitable candidate to replace glass as the front cover sheet material in module fabrication. In this article, we report on its optical, chemical, self-cleaning, and morphological properties. Durability is a key issue, especially for building-integrated applications since harsh conditions are prevalent outdoors. We report on the effect of sequences of environmental stress tests (UV exposure, and Damp Heat). The module cover material is also subject to regular cleaning, which can cause surface damage. We report on the use of linear abrasion testing to assess the abrasion resistance of ETFE to a variety of abrasive materials. The results provide useful data on the advantages and disadvantages of replacing glass with a durable polymer for front sheets in solar modules.

ETFE

Abrasion (mechanical)

10.1109/jphotov.2023.3242212

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Citations (6)

Testing the Abrasion Resistance of Porous SiO₂ Anti-reflection Coatings for Solar Cover Glass

2022 IEEE 49th Photovoltaics Specialists Conference (PVSC) (2022)

Adam M. Law Farwa Bukhari Luke O. Jones Ali Abbas John M. Walls

The cover glass sheet on solar modules can cause reflection losses as well as soiling build-up. Reflection losses can be addressed with anti-reflection (AR) coatings, whilst soiling is removed by mechanical cleaning processes that are effective but can have adverse effects on surface coatings. In this work, multilayer broadband and commercial porous SiO 2 AR coatings have been subject to abrasion testing that simulates the regular cleaning of solar modules in the field, using Felt Pad and CS-10 abradant materials. The Felt Pad abrasion has no impact on the multilayer coating, but caused visible damage to the porous SiO 2 , increasing WAR from 5.97% to 6.75% after 100 cycles. After 50 and 100 abrasion cycles of CS-10, significant scratches are visible on the porous SiO 2 coating, and the weighted average reflectance (WAR) of the coating increases from 5.97% to 7.08% after 100 cycles. The coating is fully removed in some abraded areas. The multilayer AR coating also experiences some damage after CS-10 abrasion, increasing WAR from 5.84% to 6.68%. Optical microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) show the nature of the abrasion damage caused. Overall, the multilayer AR coating shows significantly higher abrasion resistance than the porous SiO 2 . Significant abrasion damage to porous SiO 2 AR coatings is a major problem for solar asset managers resulting in long-term power losses.

Abrasion (mechanical)

Reflection

Anti-reflective coating

Blisters

10.1109/pvsc48317.2022.9938907

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Citations (3)

Optimization of Back-Contact Diffusion Barrier for Solution-Processed CIGS Solar Cells: Case of MoO₃ and MoN

Nada Benhaddou Jacques Kenyon Luke O. Jones L. M. Welch Jake W. Bowers

This study aims to investigate the effect of MoN and MoO 3 diffusion barriers on the back contact properties of solution-processed CIGS solar cells. The deposition conditions were varied to assess the optimal conditions inhibiting the degradation of Mo to MoSe2 during CIGS selenization. The results show that a proper adjustment of the sputtering gas mix leads to better control over the subsequent amount of MoSe2 formation. 5% efficiency can be obtained by using MoN for an amine-thiol solution-produced CIGS absorber using a Na-free glass substrate.

Deposition

Diffusion barrier

10.1109/pvsc48320.2023.10359733

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Ce-Alloyed ZnO Buffer Layers for Thin Film CdSeTe/CdTe Solar Cells

Luksa Kujovic Xiaolei Liu Mustafa Togay Ali Abbas Kieran M. Curson

Cadmium telluride photovoltaics

Buffer (optical fiber)

10.1109/pvsc57443.2024.10749479

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SnO2 Buffer Layers for High Efficiency CdSeTe/CdTe Devices

Luis C. Infante‐Ortega Xiaolei Liu Luksa Kujovic Mustafa Togay Luke O. Jones

SnO2 buffer layers of different thickness were deposited onto TEC 15 Fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass substrates using rf magnetron sputtering. The buffer layers were then incorporated into Cu-doped CdSeTe/CdTe devices using a range of CdCl 2 activation treatments and CuCl2 annealing temperatures to determine the effects of buffer layer thickness on device performance. Results show that all devices fabricated with thinner buffer layers resulted in much better J ― V characteristics than their thicker counterparts. This was mainly due to a reduced open-circuit voltage $(\mathrm{V}_{\text{oc}})$ when using thicker buffer layers. The best device produced a conversion efficiency of 16.59%, fill factor of 71.62%, Jsc of 28.44 mA/cm ² and $\mathrm{V}_{\text{oc}}$ of 814.23 mV.

Buffer (optical fiber)

10.1109/pvsc48320.2023.10359712

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Citations (1)

Cryogels: recent applications in 3D-bioprinting, injectable cryogels, drug delivery, and wound healing

Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry (2021)

Luke O. Jones Leah Williams Tasmin Boam Martin Kalmet Chidubem Oguike

Cryogels are macroporous polymeric structures formed from the cryogelation of monomers/polymers in a solvent below freezing temperature. Due to their inherent interconnected macroporosity, ease of preparation, and biocompatibility, they are increasingly being investigated for use in biomedical applications such as 3D-bioprinting, drug delivery, wound healing, and as injectable therapeutics. This review highlights the fundamentals of macroporous cryogel preparation, cryogel properties that can be useful in the highlighted biomedical applications, followed by a comprehensive review of recent studies in these areas. Research evaluated includes the use of cryogels to combat various types of cancer, for implantation without surgical incision, and use as highly effective wound dressings. Furthermore, conclusions and outlooks are discussed for the use of these promising and durable macroporous cryogels.

Biocompatibility

3D bioprinting

Wound dressing

10.3762/bjoc.17.171

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Citations (40)

The performance and durability of Anti-reflection coatings for solar module cover glass – a review

Solar Energy (2023)

Adam M. Law Luke O. Jones John M. Walls

Solar photovoltaics (PV) is an important source of renewable energy for a sustainable future, and the installed capacity of PV modules has recently surpassed 1TWp worldwide. PV modules experience reflection losses of ∼4% at the front glass surface. This loss can be mitigated by the use of anti-reflection coatings, which now cover over 90% of commercial modules. This review looks at the field of anti-reflection coatings for solar modules, from single layers to multilayer structures, and alternatives such as glass texturing. The materials and deposition methods used for such coatings are reviewed and a discussion around the durability of anti-reflection coatings is presented, with recent work showing that the current industry standard porous silica coatings are vulnerable to abrasion, as well as chemical thinning and humidity-related degradation. These coatings are also hydrophilic with high surface energy and greater adhesion to soiling. Multilayer coatings consisting of alternate layers of dielectric metal oxides such as ZrO2 and SiO2 are highlighted as potential alternatives to porous SiO2. The development of an abrasion standard for solar module coatings is also discussed. Suggestions for the future direction of the field are provided, including multifunctionality, such as hydrophobicity for anti-soiling, and sub-bandgap reflection for passive cooling.

Abrasion (mechanical)

Reflection

Conversion coating

10.1016/j.solener.2023.06.009

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Citations (40)

Optimising the thickness of sputtered SnO₂ buffer layers for high efficiency CdSeTe/CdTe devices

Luis C. Infante‐Ortega Xiaolei Liu Luksa Kujovic Mustafa Togay Luke O. Jones

Buffer (optical fiber)

Cadmium telluride photovoltaics

10.1109/pvsc57443.2024.10749593

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Citations (0)