KnE Social Sciences
ISSN: 2518-668X
The latest conference proceedings on humanities, arts and social sciences.
STEM Education in Solar Cells: An Overview
Published date: Apr 26 2024
Journal Title: KnE Social Sciences
Issue title: International Conference on Mathematics and Science Education (ICMScE 2022): Learning Models and Teaching Approaches
Pages: 1311–1337
Authors:
Abstract:
The remarkable developments in photovoltaic (P.V.) technology over the past five years require a new assessment of its performance and potential for future advancement. Photovoltaic (P.V.) technology development, divided into four, should begin to be studied and implemented in schools through STEM education. Solar cells or photovoltaic (P.V.) offer an important and timely field for STEM education exploration due to their potential to generate broad social, environmental, and health benefits by mitigating climate change, pollution, water scarcity, and more. This article reviews many of the basics of solar cells, such as the working principle of solar cells, solar cell materials, the state of the art of solar cells, and applications of solar cells in everyday life. Furthermore, this article presents the application of solar cells in STEM education. The application of solar cells in STEM education will be discussed regarding the interdisciplinarity of STEM subjects in the context of solar cells. In addition, this paper also explores the hands-on activities done on the topic of solar cells and the challenges and prospects of STEM education in solar sell for future learning.
Keywords: STEM education, solar cells, efficiency, materials science
References:
[1] Honey M, Pearson G, Schweingruber H. STEM integration in K-12 education status, prospects, and an agenda for research. Washington (D C); 2014.
[2] Steidtmann L, Kleickmann T, Steffensky M. Declining interest in science in lower secondary school classes: quasi-experimental and longitudinal evidence on the role of teaching and teaching quality. J Res Sci Teach. 2023;60(1):164–95.
[3] Frenzel AC, Pekrun R, Dicke AL, Goetz T. Beyond quantitative decline: conceptual shifts in adolescents’ development of interest in mathematics. Dev Psychol. 2012 Jul;48(4):1069–82.
[4] Martinez W. How science and technology developments impact employment and education. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2018 Dec;115(50):12624–9.
[5] Scottish Government, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) evidence base., 2017.
[6] Zilberman A, Ice L. “Why computer occupations are behind strong STEM employment growth in the 2019–29 decade.,” Beyond the Numbers: Employment & Unemployment. vol. 10, no. 1 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), pp. 1–9, 2021.
[7] OECD. “What 15-year-old students in Indonesia know and can do.,” Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Result from PISA. 2018;2018:1–10.
[8] Kang J, Hense J, Scheersoi A, Keinonen T. Gender study on the relationships between science interest and future career perspectives. Int J Sci Educ. 2019;41(1):80–101.
[9] Mohd Shahali EH, Halim L, Rasul MS, Osman K, Mohamad Arsad N. Students’ interest towards STEM: a longitudinal study. Res Sci Technol Educ. 2019;37(1):71–89.
[10] Stoll G, Rieger S, Lüdtke O, Nagengast B, Trautwein U, Roberts BW. Vocational interests assessed at the end of high school predict life outcomes assessed 10 years later over and above IQ and Big Five personality traits. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2017 Jul;113(1):167–84.
[11] Krapp A, Prenzel M. Research on interest in science: Theories, methods, and findings. Int J Sci Educ. 2011;33(1):27–50.
[12] Logan MR, Skamp KR. The impact of teachers and their science teaching on students’ ‘science interest’: A four-year study. Int J Sci Educ. 2013;35(17):2879–904.
[13] Akgunduz D. A research about the placement of the top thousand students in STEM fields in Turkey between 2000 and 2014. Eurasia J Math Sci Technol Educ. 2016;12(5):1365–77.
[14] Sanders M. STEM, STEM education, STEMmania. Technol Teach. 2009;68(4):20–6.
[15] NRC. STEM Integration in K-12 Education. Washington (D C); 2012.
[16] R.M. Capraro, M.M. Capraro, and J.R. Morgan, STEM project-based learning: An Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) approach., 2013.
[17] Awad N. “Integrating the learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through a sound, waves and communication systems course: Exploring cognitive and affective aspects,” https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85139284137, (2021).
[18] Kutlu E, Bakirci H, Kara Y. STEM education effect on inquiry perception and engineering knowledge. Participatory Educational Research. 2022;9(3):248–62.
[19] T.R. Kelley and J.G. Knowles, “A conceptual framework for integrated STEM education.,” International Journal of STEM Education. vol. 3, no. 1, p. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-016-0046-z.
[20] T.J. Moore and K.A. Smith, “Advancing the state of the art of STEM integration.,” Journal of STEM E duc a tion. vol. 15, no. 1, p. 2014.
[21] Permanasari A, Rubini B, Nugroho OF. STEM education in Indonesia: science teachers’ and students’ perspectives. Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research. 2021;2(1):7–16.
[22] Han S, Yalvac B, Capraro MM, Capraro RM. In-service teachers’ implementation and understanding of STEM project based learning. Eurasia J Math Sci Technol Educ. 2015;11(1):63–76.
[23] Quigley CF, Herro D. ‘Finding the joy in the unknown’: implementation of STEAM teaching practices in middle school science and math classrooms. J Sci Educ Technol. 2016;25(3):410–26.
[24] Bybee RW. “The case for education: STEM challenges and opportunities.,” NSTA. National Science Teachers Assocation; 2013. pp. 33–40.
[25] Chen K, Chen C. Effects of STEM inquiry method on learning attitude and creativity. Eurasia J Math Sci Technol Educ. 2021;17(11):1–6.
[26] Wingard A, Kijima R, Yang-Yoshihara M, Sun K. A design thinking approach to developing girls’ creative self-efficacy in STEM. Think Skills Creativity. 2022;46(September):101140.
[27] Muslim R, Saputro H, Thamrin AG. Case study: vocational student’s knowledge and awareness level toward renewable energy in Indonesia. Open Eng. 2021;11(1):690– 708.
[28] Laliyo LA, Puluhulawa FU, Eraku S, Salimi YK. The Prevalence of students and teachers’ ideas about global warming and the use of renewable energy technology. Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management. 2020;8(3):243–56.
[29] Dark ML. A photovoltaics module for incoming science, technology, engineering and mathematics undergraduates. Phys Educ. 2011;46(3):303–8.
[30] T. Mayasari, E. Susilowati, and N. Winarno, “Practicing integrated STEM in renewable energy projects: Solar power.,” Journal of Physics: Conference Series. vol. 1280, no. 5, p. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1280/5/052033.
[31] Machuve J, Mkenda E. Promoting STEM education through sustainable manufacturing: case study of photovoltaic toys. Procedia Manuf. 2019;33:740–5.
[32] Wiser D. Millstein, T. Mai, et al., “The environmental and public health benefits of achieving high penetrations of solar energy in the United States. Volume 113. Energy; 2016. pp. 472–86.
[33] Begmatovich AU, Anora K. Methods of forming elementary concepts of renewable energy sources in physics on the basis of interdisciplinary connections. Eurasian Journal of Humanities and Social Science. 2021;3(10):74–7.
[34] Biniek L, Nielsen CB. Organic photovoltaics: more than ever, an interdisciplinary field. Polymers (Basel). 2016 Mar;8(3):6–7.
[35] Zacchia G, Cipri K, Cucuzzella C, Calderari G. Higher education interdisciplinarity: addressing the complexity of sustainable energies and the green economy. Sustainability (Basel). 2022;14(4):1–18.
[36] C.M. Firetto, E. Starrett, and M.E. Jordan, “Embracing a culture of talk: STEM teachers’ engagement in small-group discussions about photovoltaics,.” International Journal of STEM Education. vol. 10, no. 1, p. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00442- 7.
[37] Aschbacher PR, Li E, Roth EJ. Is science me? High school students’ identities, participation and aspirations in science, engineering, and medicine. J Res Sci Teach. 2010;47(5):564–82.
[38] BP, BP statistical review of world energy., 2008.
[39] Prima EC, Nuruddin A, Yuliarto B, Kawamura G, Matsuda A. Combined spectroscopic and TDDFT study of single-double anthocyanins for application in dye-sensitized solar cells. New J Chem. 2018;42(14):11616–28.
[40] Al-Ezzi AS, Ansari MN. Photovoltaic solar cells: A review. Appl Syst Innov. 2022;5(4):1– 17.
[41] Nayak PK, Mahesh S, Snaith HJ, Cahen D. Photovoltaic solar cell technologies: analysing the state of the art. Nat Rev Mater. 2019;4(4):269–85.
[42] Al-Ezzi A. The market of solar panels in the United Kingdom [English translation of Geliotekhnika]. Appl Sol Energy. 2017;53(1):78–84.
[43] Inganäs O, Sundström V. Solar energy for electricity and fuels. Ambio. 2016 Jan;45(Suppl 1 Suppl 1):S15–23.
[44] Alarifi IM. Advanced selection materials in solar cell efficiency and their properties - A comprehensive review. Mater Today Proc. 2023;81(February):403–14.
[45] Hayat MB, Ali D, Monyake KC, Alagha L, Ahmed N. Solar energy—A look into power generation, challenges, and a solar-powered future. Int J Energy Res. 2019;43(3):1049–67.
[46] Yadav A, Pawan Kumar A, Tech M. Enhancement in efficiency of Pv cell through P&O algorithm. International Journal For Technological Research In Engineering. 2015;2(11):2347–4718.
[47] Asim N, Sopian K, Ahmadi S, Saeedfar K, Alghoul MA, Saadatian O, et al. A review on the role of materials science in solar cells. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2012;16(8):5834–47.
[48] Sharma S, Jain KK, Sharma A. Solar Cells: in research and applications—A Review. Mater Sci Appl. 2015;06(12):1145–55.
[49] F.H. Alharbi, “Carrier multiplication applicability for photovoltaics; A critical analysis.,” Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics. vol. 46, no. 12, p. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/46/12/125102.
[50] M. Dada and P. Popoola, “Recent advances in solar photovoltaic materials and systems for energy storage applications: a review.,” Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences. vol. 12, no. 1, p. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43088- 023-00405-5.
[51] Desai D, Hegedus S, McCandless B, Birkmire R, Dobson K, Ryan D. “How CdTe solar cells operate: Determining collection using bifacial device characterization.,” Conference Record of the 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, WCPEC-4. vol. 1, no. May 2014, pp. 368–371, 2006.
[52] Nugroho HS, Refantero G, Prima EC, Panatarani C, Suyatman, Nugraha N, et al. Crystal structure and optical properties of non-vacuum solution-based processed Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin-film. IOP Conf Series Mater Sci Eng. 2021;1045(1):012039.
[53] Ibn-Mohammed T, Koh SC, Reaney IM, Acquaye A, Schileo G, Mustapha KB, et al. Perovskite solar cells: an integrated hybrid lifecycle assessment and review in comparison with other photovoltaic technologies. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;80( June):1321–44.
[54] Du D, Xu Z, Wang L, Guo Y, Liu S, Yu T, et al. The broadband and omnidirectional antireflective performance of perovskite solar cells with curved nanostructures. Sol Energy. 2021;224(March):10–7.
[55] Soonmin H, Hardani P. Nandi, B.S. Mwankemwa, T.D. Malevu, and M.I. Malik, “Overview on different types of solar cells: an update.,”. Applied Sciences (Switzerland). 2023;13(4):1–37.
[56] Smith RP, Hwang AA, Beetz T, Helgren E. Introduction to semiconductor processing: fabrication and characterization of p-n junction silicon solar cells. Am J Phys. 2018;86(10):740–6.
[57] Smets AH, Jäger K, Isabella O, van Swaaij RA, Zeman M. “Solar cell parameters and Equivalent circuit.,” Solar energy : the physics and engineering of photovoltaic conversion, technologies and systems. pp. 113–121, 2016.
[58] Sharma D, Mehra R, Raj B. Comparative analysis of photovoltaic technologies for high efficiency solar cell design. Superlattices Microstruct. 2021;153(March):106861.
[59] Jayawardena KD, Rozanski LJ, Mills CA, Beliatis MJ, Nismy NA, Silva SR. ‘Inorganicsin- organics’: recent developments and outlook for 4G polymer solar cells. Nanoscale. 2013 Sep;5(18):8411–27.
[60] Talavera DL, Muñoz-Cerón E, de la Casa J, Lozano-Arjona D, Theristis M, Pérez- Higueras PJ. Complete procedure for the economic, financial and with selfconsumption. Energies. 2019;12(345):1–22.
[61] Gonçalves P, Sampaio V, Orestes M, González A. Photovoltaic solar energy : conceptual framework. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;74(February):590–601.
[62] Conibeer G. Third-generation photovoltaics. Mater Today. 2007;10(11):42–50.
[63] NREL. “Best research-cell efficiencies,” https://www.nrel.gov/pv/assets/pdfs/bestresearch- cell-efficiencies.pdf, (2019).
[64] Luceño-Sánchez JA, Díez-Pascual AM, Peña Capilla R. Materials for photovoltaics : state of art and recent developments. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Feb;20(4):1–42.
[65] IESR. Indonesia Energy Transition Outlook 2022. Iesr; 2021. pp. 1–93.
[66] Yekinni S, Asiata I, Hakeem O, Mubarak L. “Solar photovoltaic energy system.,” Nanogenerators and Self-Powered Systems. no. January, p. 2023. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108958.
[67] Al-shamani AN, Yusof M, Othman H, et al. Design & sizing of stand-alone solar power systems a house Iraq. Recent Advances in Renewable Energy Sources. 2013;( January):145–50.
[68] Shah HN, Kamis Z, Abdollah MF, et al. Develop and implementation of solar powered ventilation system. Indones J Electr Eng Comput Sci. 2018;12(3):1211–21.
[69] Patil SS, Zende RM. “Solar powered water pumping system.,” Proceedings of 2017 3rd IEEE International Conference on Sensing, Signal Processing and Security, ICSSS 2017. no. January 2005, pp. 186–190, 2017.
[70] O.A. O. A.A. A., and F.O. D, “Design and construction of solar power-based lighting system.,”. Int J Eng Sci Res Technol. 2013;2(9):2289–92.
[71] A. Arulious Jora, D. Earlina, D. Harish, P. Sakthi Priya, A. Inba Rexy, and J.S. Nancy Mary, “Design of solar powered electric vehicle.,” Journal of Physics: Conference Series. vol. 2070, no. 1, p. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2070/1/012105.
[72] Chien SI, Su C, Chou CC, Wang HH. “Research insights and challenges of secondary school energy education: A dye-sensitized solar cells case study.,” Sustainability (Switzerland). vol. 13, no. 19, p. 2021.
[73] Kishore P, Kisiel J. Exploring high school students’ perceptions of solar energy and solar cells. Int J Environ Sci Educ. 2013;8(3):521–34.
[74] Popham WJ. Classroom Assessment What Teachers Need to Know. Boston: Pearson; 2011.
[75] Eka CP, Brian Y. Suyatman, and K.D. Hermawan, “Donor-modified anthocyanin dye-sensitized solar cell with TiO2 nanoparticles: Density functional theory investigation.,” Materials Science Forum. vol. 889 MSF, pp. 178–183, 2017.
[76] Eka CP, Yuliarto B, Suyatman S. Performance of natural carotenoids from musa aromatica and citrus medica var lemon as photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells with TiO2 nanoparticle. Adv Mat Res. 2013;789:167–70.
[77] Kumar P, Sahani J, Rawat N, Debele S, Tiwari A, Mendes Emygdio AP, et al. Using empirical science education in schools to improve climate change literacy. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2023;178(March):113232.
[78] Gero A, Essami H, Danino O, Kornblum L. Students’ attitudes toward interdisciplinary learning: A high-school course on solar cells. Int J Eng Educ. 2022;38(4):1130–40.
[79] W.O. Nirwana Sari Halidun, E. Cahya Prima, B. Yuliarto, and Suyatman, “Fabrication Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) using ??-Carotene pigment based natural dye.,” MATEC Web of Conferences. vol. 159, pp. 1–6, 2018.
[80] Adhyaksa GW, Prima EC, Lee DK, Ock I, Yatman S, Yuliarto B, et al. A light harvesting antenna using natural extract graminoids coupled with plasmonic metal nanoparticles for bio-photovoltaic cells. Adv Energy Mater. 2014;4(18):1–8.
[81] Quigley CF, Herro D, Jamil FM. Developing a conceptual model of STEAM teaching practices. Sch Sci Math. 2017;117(1–2):1–12.
[82] UN. “The role of science, technology and innovation in increasing substantially the share of renewable energy by 2030 Report of the Secretary-General Economic and Social Council.,” The provisional agenda. vol. 03743, no. March, pp. 18–3743, 2018.
[83] Prima EC, Yuliarto B. Suyatman, and H.K. Dipojono, “Ground and excited state properties of high performance anthocyanidin dyes-sensitized solar cells in the basic solutions.,” AIP Conference Proceedings. vol. 1677, p. 2015.
[84] Al Qibtiya M, Prima EC, Yuliarto B, Suyatman. pH Influences on Optical Absorption of Anthocyanin from Black Rice as Sensitizer for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell TiO2 Nanoparticles. Mater Sci Forum. 2016;864:154–8.
[85] Cahya Prima E, Yuliarto B. Suyatman, and H.K. Dipojono, “Theoretical Investigation of Anthocyanidin Aglycones as Photosensitizers for Dye-Sensitized TiO2 Solar Cells,”. Adv Mat Res. 2015;1112:317–20.
[86] Prima EC, Al Qibtiya M, Yuliarto B, Suyatman, Dipojono HK. Suyatman, and H.K. Dipojono, “Influence of anthocyanin co-pigment on electron transport and performance in black rice dye-sensitized solar cell.,”. Ionics. 2016;22(9):1687–97.
[87] Lallo AI, Prima EC, Suhendi E, Yuliarto B. Efek ketebalan film tipis TiO2 dan karakterisasi zat warna menggunakan daun binahong (Anredera cordifolia) pada dye-sensitized solar cell effect of TiO2 thin film thickness and dye characterization using binahong leaf (Anredera cordifolia) as photos. Journal Aceh Physic Society. 2022;11(4):109–14.
[88] Prima EC, Manopo J, Suhendi E, et al. The effect of CuZn+ZnCu defect complex on Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film solar cell: A density functional theory study. Mater Chem Phys. 2022;296(November):2023.
[89] Prima EC, Wong LH, Ibrahim A. Nugraha, and B. Yuliarto, “Solution-processed pure Cu2ZnSnS4/CdS thin film solar cell with 7.5% efficiency.,” Optical Materials. vol. 114, no. December 2020, p. 110947, 2021.
[90] G. Refantero, E. Cahya, P. Andhy, S. Camelia, P. Deni, and C. Brian, “Etching process optimization of non ? vacuum fabricated Cu2 ZnSnS4 solar cell.,” Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics. p. 2020.
[91] Prima EC, Nugroho HS, Nugraha G, Refantero G, Panatarani C, Yuliarto B. Performance of the dye-sensitized quasi-solid state solar cell with combined anthocyanin-ruthenium photosensitizer. RSC Adv. 2020 Oct;10(60):36873–86.
[92] Prima EC, Utami MP, Setiawan A, Suhendi E. Review penggunaan reduced graphene oxide/TiO2 sebagai fotoelektrode pada dye-sensitized solar cell [ Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan Fisika dan Riset Ilmiah]. JIPFRI. 2022;6(1):1–9.
[93] Enciso P, Luzuriaga L, Botasini S. Using an open-source microcontroller and a dyesensitized solar cell to guide students from basic principles to a practical application. J Chem Educ. 2018;95(7):1173–8.
[94] Prima EC, Vitadewi A, Rahmat AD, Suhendi E. Suyatman, and B. Yuliarto, “Solutionsprocessed Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cell utilizing Zn powder as local material.,”. International Journal of Nanoelectronics and Materials. 2021;14(4):357–72.
[95] Shaner SE, Hooker PD, Nickel AM, Leichtfuss AR, Adams CS, de la Cerda D, et al. Discovering inexpensive, effective catalysts for solar energy conversion: an authentic research laboratory experience. J Chem Educ. 2016;93(4):650–7.
[96] Santiago-Aviles JJ, Light G. “Embedded controlled gardening: An academically based service course.,” ISEC 2018 - Proceedings of the 8th IEEE Integrated STEM Education Conference. vol. 2018-Janua, no. c, pp. 149–153, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISECon.2018.8340467.
[97] Nicolaidis NC, Hollott PV, Stanwell B, Gill IA, Bull JE, Bentsen S, et al. Developing a portable organic solar cell kit suitable for students to fabricate and test solar cells in the laboratory. J Chem Educ. 2020;97(10):3751–7.
[98] Chien SI, Su C, Chou CC, Li WR. Visual observation and practical application of dye sensitized solar cells in high school energy education. J Chem Educ. 2018;95(7):1167– 72.