Fractal topologies for efficient solar energy harvesting systems

Author

Rahman, H. Abdel ; Kirah, K.

Author_Institution

Fac. of Eng., British Univ. in Egypt (BUE), Egypt

fYear

2010

fDate

19-22 Dec. 2010

Firstpage

123

Lastpage

126

Abstract

When constructing efficient solar energy harvesting systems, it is important to connect the photovoltaic (PV) elements in the configuration which maximizes the absorbed solar energy. This undoubtedly gives the best possible efficiency for the system. The usage of fractal topologies to arrange the PV elements spatially is suggested. Our goal is to find the best possible configuration for the same number of elements. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) diodes are chosen to be the PV elements. The interaction between electromagnetic waves and the CNT array is simulated using a Multi-physics SW package in order to calculate the amount of absorbed energy.

Keywords

carbon nanotubes; energy harvesting; fractals; photovoltaic cells; solar cells; solar power; PV elements; carbon nanotubes; diodes; electromagnetic waves; fractal topologies; multiphysics SW package; photovoltaic elements; single junction solar cells; solar energy harvesting systems; Arrays; Carbon nanotubes; Fractals; Lighting; Photovoltaic systems; Solar energy; Topology;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Thermal Issues in Emerging Technologies Theory and Applications (ThETA), 2010 3rd International Conference on

Conference_Location

Cairo

Print_ISBN

978-1-61284-268-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/THETA.2010.5766388

Filename

5766388