Lighting-environment-adjustable block-type 3D indoor PV for wireless sensor communication

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy Engineering
• Semiconductor Physics

Background:

• The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing necessitates a greater demand for photovoltaics (PVs).
• Existing PV technologies face limitations in adapting to diverse and often suboptimal indoor lighting environments.
• PV systems require adaptability to varying light conditions without compromising cell integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel three-dimensional (3D) structure for crystalline silicon solar cells.
• To enhance power generation capabilities of PVs under omnidirectional and low-light conditions.
• To enable PVs to function effectively in indoor environments for IoT and edge computing.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a block-type, three-dimensional (3D) structure integrated with a crystalline silicon solar cell array.
• Application of a block-type method to modify PV morphology for improved light absorption.
• Testing the performance of the 3D indoor PV under varying illuminance levels (532 lx and 1620 lx).

Main Results:

• The developed 3D indoor PV demonstrated enhanced power output under omnidirectional light.
• The block-type 3D structure allowed for morphological changes without damaging the solar cells.
• Successful operation of a Bluetooth low-energy module was achieved with the 3D indoor PV at 532 lx (129.9 cm² area) and 1620 lx (32.48 cm² area).

Conclusions:

• The block-type 3D structure is an effective approach for improving the performance of crystalline silicon solar cells in indoor lighting.
• This technology addresses the need for adaptable PV solutions in the expanding IoT and edge computing sectors.
• The 3D indoor PV design shows promise for powering low-energy electronic devices in diverse environments.