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Development Of Earth Abundant Tinii Sulfide Thin Film Solar Cells By Vapor Deposition
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Book Synopsis Development of Earth-Abundant Tin(II) Sulfide Thin-Film Solar Cells by Vapor Deposition by : Prasert Sinsermsuksakul
Download or read book Development of Earth-Abundant Tin(II) Sulfide Thin-Film Solar Cells by Vapor Deposition written by Prasert Sinsermsuksakul and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To sustain future civilization, the development of alternative clean-energy technologies to replace fossil fuels has become one of the most crucial and challenging problems of the last few decades. The thin film solar cell is one of the major photovoltaic technologies that is promising for renewable energy. The current commercial thin film PV technologies are based on Cu(In, Ga)Se2 and CdTe. Despite their success in reducing the module cost below $1/Wp, these absorber materials face limitations due to their use of scarce (In and Te) and toxic (Cd) elements. One promising candidate for an alternative absorber material is tin monosulfide (SnS). Composed of cheap, non-toxic and earth-abundant elemental constituents, SnS can potentially provide inexpensive PV modules to reach the global energy demand in TW levels.
Book Synopsis Improved Thin Film Solar Cells Made by Vapor Deposition of Earth-Abundant Tin(II) Sulfide by : Leizhi Sun
Download or read book Improved Thin Film Solar Cells Made by Vapor Deposition of Earth-Abundant Tin(II) Sulfide written by Leizhi Sun and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Tin(II) sulfide (SnS) is an earth-abundant, inexpensive, and non-toxic absorber material for thin film solar cells. SnS films are deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) through the reaction of a tin precursor, bis(N,N'-diisopropylacetamidinato)tin(II), and hydrogen sulfide. The SnS films demonstrate excellent surface morphology, crystal structure, phase purity, stoichiometry, elemental purity, and optical and electrical properties.
Book Synopsis Thin Film Solar Cells From Earth Abundant Materials by : Subba Ramaiah Kodigala
Download or read book Thin Film Solar Cells From Earth Abundant Materials written by Subba Ramaiah Kodigala and published by Newnes. This book was released on 2013-11-14 with total page 197 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The fundamental concept of the book is to explain how to make thin film solar cells from the abundant solar energy materials by low cost. The proper and optimized growth conditions are very essential while sandwiching thin films to make solar cell otherwise secondary phases play a role to undermine the working function of solar cells. The book illustrates growth and characterization of Cu2ZnSn(S1-xSex)4 thin film absorbers and their solar cells. The fabrication process of absorber layers by either vacuum or non-vacuum process is readily elaborated in the book, which helps for further development of cells. The characterization analyses such as XPS, XRD, SEM, AFM etc., lead to tailor the physical properties of the absorber layers to fit well for the solar cells. The role of secondary phases such as ZnS, Cu2-xS,SnS etc., which are determined by XPS, XRD or Raman, in the absorber layers is promptly discussed. The optical spectroscopy analysis, which finds band gap, optical constants of the films, is mentioned in the book. The electrical properties of the absorbers deal the influence of substrates, growth temperature, impurities, secondary phases etc. The low temperature I-V and C-V measurements of Cu2ZnSn(S1-xSex)4 thin film solar cells are clearly described. The solar cell parameters such as efficiency, fill factor, series resistance, parallel resistance provide handful information to understand the mechanism of physics of thin film solar cells in the book. The band structure, which supports to adjust interface states at the p-n junction of the solar cells is given. On the other hand the role of window layers with the solar cells is discussed. The simulation of theoretical efficiency of Cu2ZnSn(S1-xSex)4 thin film solar cells explains how much efficiency can be experimentally extracted from the cells. One of the first books exploring how to conduct research on thin film solar cells, including reducing costs Detailed instructions on conducting research
Book Synopsis Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide-Based Thin-Film Solar Cells by : Kentaro Ito
Download or read book Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide-Based Thin-Film Solar Cells written by Kentaro Ito and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2014-12-11 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Beginning with an overview and historical background of Copper Zinc Tin Sulphide (CZTS) technology, subsequent chapters cover properties of CZTS thin films, different preparation methods of CZTS thin films, a comparative study of CZTS and CIGS solar cell, computational approach, and future applications of CZTS thin film solar modules to both ground-mount and rooftop installation. The semiconducting compound (CZTS) is made up earth-abundant, low-cost and non-toxic elements, which make it an ideal candidate to replace Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) and CdTe solar cells which face material scarcity and toxicity issues. The device performance of CZTS-based thin film solar cells has been steadily improving over the past 20 years, and they have now reached near commercial efficiency levels (10%). These achievements prove that CZTS-based solar cells have the potential to be used for large-scale deployment of photovoltaics. With contributions from leading researchers from academia and industry, many of these authors have contributed to the improvement of its efficiency, and have rich experience in preparing a variety of semiconducting thin films for solar cells.
Book Synopsis Thin Film Solar Cells with Earth Abundant Elements by : Yue Yu
Download or read book Thin Film Solar Cells with Earth Abundant Elements written by Yue Yu and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The world energy consumption has increased rigorously in recent years due to the rapid economic development and the massive global population expansion. Today the world energy supply relies heavily on fossil fuels, known as non-renewable energy resources, which have limited reserves on Earth and do not form or replenish in a short period of time. Burning fossil fuels not only brings environmental pollutions but also results in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which are to blame for global warming. Therefore, to build a more sustainable and greener future, we have to develop alternative renewable energy resources. Photovoltaic (PV) cell, also commonly known as solar cell, is a very promising renewable energy technology. Here in this dissertation, we have studied two emerging PV materials with earth abundant elements, i.e. copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) and organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskite. Having earth abundant elements means that the raw materials have rich reserves on Earth and the costs are relatively low. It also means that the materials have the potential capability to be produced in large scales in industry. We first explored two different deposition methods for preparing CZTS thin films. In the first method, the CZTS was fabricated by a solution based method with diethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent and the effect of spin speed on the properties of CZTS thin films was studied. The results indicated that a higher spin speed was more favorable for attaining a more densely packed and pinhole-free film while no crystallographic differences were observed. In the second method, CZTS was fabricated using sputtered metal precursors followed by a closed-space sulfurization (CSS) technique, which had high manufacturing compatibility and could be applied in industry. After exploring different sulfurization conditions, including temperatures and time, the champion cell was obtained at 590oC for 30min, with a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.2%. We then explored three different organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskite materials for solar cell applications. The first perovskite material is methylammonium tin triiodide (MASnI3, bandgap ~1.3 eV). It was fabricated by a hybrid thermal evaporation. The as-deposited MASnI3 thin films exhibit smooth surfaces, uniform coverage across the entire substrate, and strong crystallographic preferred orientation along the 100 direction. Our results demonstrate the potential capability of the hybrid evaporation method for preparing high-quality MASnI3 perovskite thin films which can be used to fabricate efficient lead (Pb)-free perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). The second perovskite material is mixed-cation (formamidinium and cesium) lead iodide (FA0.8Cs0.2PbI3). We find that one of the main factors limiting the PCEs of FA0.8Cs0.2PbI3 PVSCs could be the small grain sizes, which leads to relatively short mean carrier lifetimes. We further find that adding a small amount of lead thiocyanate additive can enlarge the grain size of FA0.8Cs0.2PbI3 perovskite thin films and significantly increase the mean carrier lifetime. As a result, the average PCE of FA0.8Cs0.2PbI3 PVSCs increases from 16.18 ± 0.50 (13.45 ± 0.78)% to 18.16 ± 0.54 (16.86 ± 0.63)% when measured under reverse (forward) voltage scans. The best-performing FA0.8Cs0.2PbI3 PVSC registers a PCE of 19.57 (18.12) % when measured under a reverse (forward) voltage scan. The third perovskite material is FA0.8Cs0.2Pb(I0.7Br0.3)3 (bandgap ~1.75 eV). We find that the cooperation of lead thiocyanate additive and a solvent annealing process can effectively increase the grain size of the perovskite thin films while avoiding the undesired excess lead iodide formation. As a result, the average grain size of the FA0.8Cs0.2Pb(I0.7Br0.3)3 perovskite thin films increases from 66 ± 24 nm to 1036 ± 111 nm and the mean carrier lifetime shows a more than 3-fold increase, from 330 ns to over 1000 ns. As a result, the average open-circuit voltage (Voc) of FA0.8Cs0.2Pb(I0.7Br0.3)3 PVSCs increases by 80 (70) mV and the average PCE increases from 13.44 ± 0.48 (11.75 ± 0.34)% to 17.68 ± 0.36 (15.58 ± 0.55)% when measured under reverse (forward) voltage scans. The best-performing wide-bandgap (~1.75 eV) PVSC registers a stabilized PCE of 17.18%, demonstrating its suitability for top cell applications in all-perovskite tandem solar cells.
Book Synopsis Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Thin Films for Photovoltaics by : Jonathan J. Scragg
Download or read book Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Thin Films for Photovoltaics written by Jonathan J. Scragg and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-09-01 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Jonathan Scragg documents his work on a very promising material suitable for use in solar cells. Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide (CZTS) is a low cost, earth-abundant material suitable for large scale deployment in photovoltaics. Jonathan pioneered and optimized a low cost route to this material involving electroplating of the three metals concerned, followed by rapid thermal processing (RTP) in sulfur vapour. His beautifully detailed RTP studies – combined with techniques such as XRD, EDX and Raman – reveal the complex relationships between composition, processing and photovoltaic performance. This exceptional thesis contributes to the development of clean, sustainable and alternative sources of energy
Book Synopsis Development of Earth-Abundant and Non-Toxic Thin-Film Solar Cells by : Helen Hejin Park
Download or read book Development of Earth-Abundant and Non-Toxic Thin-Film Solar Cells written by Helen Hejin Park and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Solar cell performance can be further optimized by adjusting the stoichiometry of Zn(O,S), and by tuning the electrical properties of Zn(O,S) through various in situ or post-annealing treatments. Zn(O,S) can be post-annealed in oxygen atmosphere or doped with nitrogen, by ammonium hydroxide or ammonia gas, during the ALD growth to reduce the carrier concentration, which can be critical for reducing interface recombination at the p-n junction. High carrier concentration buffer layers can be critical for reducing contact resistance with the ITO layer. Zn(O,S) can also be incorporated with aluminum by trimethylaluminum (TMA) doses to either increase or decrease the carrier concentration based on the stoichiometry of Zn(O,S).
Author :National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Publisher :Createspace Independent Publishing Platform ISBN 13 :9781721530540 Total Pages :26 pages Book Rating :4.5/5 (35 download)
Book Synopsis Chemical Vapor Deposition for Ultra-Lightweight Thin-Film Solar Arrays for Space by : National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Download or read book Chemical Vapor Deposition for Ultra-Lightweight Thin-Film Solar Arrays for Space written by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-06-20 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The development of thin-film solar cells on flexible, lightweight, space-qualified substrates provides an attractive cost solution to fabricating solar arrays with high specific power, (W/kg). The use of a polycrystalline chalcopyrite absorber layer for thin film solar cells is considered as the next generation photovoltaic devices. A key technical issues outlined in the 2001 U.S. Photovoltaic Roadmap, is the need to develop low cost, high throughput manufacturing for high-efficiency thin film solar cells. At NASA GRC we have focused on the development of new single-source-precursors (SSPs) and their utility to deposit the chalcopyrite semi-conducting layer (CIS) onto flexible substrates for solar cell fabrication. The syntheses and thermal modulation of SSPs via molecular engineering is described. Thin-film fabrication studies demonstrate the SSPs can be used in a spray CVD process, for depositing CIS at reduced temperatures, which display good electrical properties, suitable for PV devices. Hepp, Aloysius F. and Raffaelle, Ryne P. and Banger, Kulbinder K. and Jin, Michael H. and Lau, Janice E. and Harris, Jerry D. and Cowen, Jonathan E. and Duraj, Stan A. Glenn Research Center NASA/TM-2002-211835, NAS 1.15:211835, E-13529, IECEC-2002-20156
Book Synopsis Development of Earth-abundant Materials and Low-cost Processes for Solar Cells by : Chih-Liang Wang
Download or read book Development of Earth-abundant Materials and Low-cost Processes for Solar Cells written by Chih-Liang Wang and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The goal of renewable solar energy research is to develop low-cost, high-efficiency photovoltaic technologies. However, with the growing deployment of solar cells, approaching the terawatt scale, absorber materials reliant upon rare or unfriendly elements become a crucial issue. Thus, the primary objective of this dissertation is the development of a low-cost fabrication method for (i) thin-film solar cells and (ii) dye-sensitized solar cells using earth-abundant materials. In thin-film solar cells, the kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 with earth abundant elements is used as an absorber layer. It possesses a high absorption coefficient, direct band gap, and good long-term stability compared to the traditional CdTe and Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGS) absorber layers. A facile hot-injection approach for synthesizing Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 nanocrystals with varied Se to (S+Se) ratio is developed to systematically investigate the role of Se in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 nanocrystals and the evolution of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 nanocrystals to Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 film during the sulfurization step to address the problems associated with its narrow compositional window and the loss of Sn during heat treatment. Additionally, the existing substrate-type device configuration for these solar cells uses a molybdenum (Mo) back contact, which suffers from serious disadvantages like the (i) presence of a Schottky barrier at the Mo/Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 interface and (ii) decomposition of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 at the Mo interface. Accordingly, a low-cost and Mo-free superstrate-type device configuration of Au/Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4/CdS/TiO2/ITO/glass is developed to evaluate the conversion efficiency and to avoid the occurrence of a Schottky barrier at the interface and potential decomposition pathways induced by the formation of Mo(S,Se)2. Furthermore, with the addition of ethyl cellulose, the loss of Sn associated with the conversion of CZTSe to CZTSSe during the grain growth process is mitigated, leading to an increase in the conversion efficiency compared to that of the precursor film without using ethyl cellulose. Such an improvement can provide insight into the grain growth of CZTSSe during the sulfurization process and thereby enhance the feasibility of sustainable, high efficiency CZTSSe solar devices. The excellent characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with short energy-payback time, simple assembly, and eco-friendly features make them a potential option to utilize solar energy. Accordingly, a facile, low-cost, template-free route for TiO2 hollow submicrospheres embedded with SnO2 nanobeans is developed for use as a versatile scattering layer in DSSCs. Our designed structure simultaneously promotes dye adsorption, light harvesting, and electron transport, leading to a 28 % improvement in the conversion efficiency as compared with the film-based SnO2. In addition, a naturally-derived carbonaceous material as a Pt-free counter electrode for DSSCs is also developed for the first time: carbonized sucrose-coated eggshell membrane (CSEM). It is found that the carbonized sucrose-coated eggshell membranes consist of unique micropores of less than 2 nm, which effectively catalyze the triiodide into iodide in the light-electricity conversion process, leading to an improvement in the V [subscript oc] and a competitive efficiency as compared to that of a DSSC with a traditional Pt-based counter electrode.
Book Synopsis Progress in the Development of High Efficiency Thin Film Cadmium Sulfide Solar Cells by : A.M. Barnett
Download or read book Progress in the Development of High Efficiency Thin Film Cadmium Sulfide Solar Cells written by A.M. Barnett and published by . This book was released on 1978 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thin film photovoltaic cells of cadmium sulfide/copper sulfide have been developed and optimized for specific cell designs. The optimization has been achieved by changing material parameters and the technology of the electrical contacts as dictated by detailed analyses of loss mechanisms in the cells. Additional design changes are needed to further increase the energy conversion efficiency in direct sunlight beyond the present value of8.5%. The application of analytic techniques to specific cell designs is responsible for the improvements achieved to date, and it is expected to lead to a basic cadmium sulfide/copper sulfide cell with an efficiency over10%.It is anticipated that the application of similar analytic techniques to a modified cell of cadmium -zinc sulfide/copper sulfide, coupled with constant interplay between theoretical and experimental results will lead to an energy conversion efficiency in direct sunlight of up to 14%.The material properties and electro-optical characteristics of the present high efficiency CdS/Cu2S cells and initial results using the mixed cadmium zinc sulfide will be presented. This paper describes the analysis driven technology innovations which have led to the development of reproducible thin film cadmium sulfide solar cells with energy conversion efficiencies in direct sunlight of greater than 8.5%. A photovoltaic effect in CdS was first reported by Reynolds for a junction made by depositing a thin film of copper on a cadmium sulfide film (1). Later work established that the actual junction was between CdS and Cu2S (2). A substantial number of research efforts have since been conducted on this photovoltaic heterojunction and although some variation exists, cells have generally been made by reacting a vapor deposited cadmium sulfide film with a cuprous ion solution. A major research effort aimed towards space applications was conducted during the 1960's (3,4).These and many other investigators have reported conversion efficiencies in sunlight of between 5 and 6% with a limited number reporting efficiencies up to 70. Thin film cells with energy conversion efficiencies of7.8% when measured in direct sunlight were recently reported (5,6). The methodology and experiments which lead to the further development of 8.5%CdS/Cu2S cells follows.
Book Synopsis Development of Tandem Thin-film Silicon Solar Cells by Plasma-enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition by : 李建亞
Download or read book Development of Tandem Thin-film Silicon Solar Cells by Plasma-enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition written by 李建亞 and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Book Synopsis Nanoscale Surface and Interface Characterization of Earth-Abundant Thin-Film Solar Cells by : Kasra Sardashti
Download or read book Nanoscale Surface and Interface Characterization of Earth-Abundant Thin-Film Solar Cells written by Kasra Sardashti and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 122 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thin-film kesterites have been explored as promising absorbers in future photovoltaic devices due to their earth-abundant and non-toxic constituents, which do not impose any future production limitations. However, the current record conversion efficiency of polycrystalline kesterite devices is 12.6%--i.e., at least 2.4% short of the efficiency threshold needed to make this material competitive with chalcogenide-based thin film technologies. This shortage in conversion efficiency has been in part ascribed to the large extent of carrier recombination by defects at the grain boundaries and contact/absorber interfaces. In this work, methods nanoscale compositional and electrical characterization of grain boundaries and contact/absorber interfaces in kesterite solar cells have been developed, using a unique combination of advanced nano-characterization tools including Auger Nanoprobe Microscopy (NanoAuger), Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) and Cryogenic Focused Ion Beam (Cryo-FIB). NanoAuger and KPFM measurements on high-performance CZTSSe thin film PV devices revealed that the presence of SnOx at the grain boundaries is essential to the high VOC. This passivation layer needs to be formed by an air anneal process performed after the film deposition. In contrast to the oxide at the grain boundary, oxide layer on the top surfaces of the grains has been found to be (Sn,Zn),O. A new cross-sectioning method via grazing angle of incidence Cryo-FIB milling, has been developed where smooth cross-sections with at least 10x scale expansion have been prepared. These surfaces were characterized for CIGSe monitor films confirming the presence of MoSe2 interlayer acting as a proper hole contact on the back surface.
Book Synopsis Organic Nanostructured Thin Film Devices and Coatings for Clean Energy by : Sam Zhang
Download or read book Organic Nanostructured Thin Film Devices and Coatings for Clean Energy written by Sam Zhang and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2010-06-18 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Authored by leading experts from around the world, the three-volume Handbook of Nanostructured Thin Films and Coatings gives scientific researchers and product engineers a resource as dynamic and flexible as the field itself. The first two volumes cover the latest research and application of the mechanical and functional properties of thin films an
Book Synopsis Development of Copper Sulfide/cadmium Sulfide Thin-film Solar Cells by :
Download or read book Development of Copper Sulfide/cadmium Sulfide Thin-film Solar Cells written by and published by . This book was released on 1982 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unencapsulated thin-film solar cells of the Cu2S/CdS type have been aged in controlled flowing-gas ambients to characterize changes in their photovoltaic properties. Severe degradation occurring in wet O2 ambients at room temperature probably accounts for the large short-circuit current losses reported earlier. Limited loss (
Book Synopsis Theoretical Modeling of Inorganic Nanostructures by : R.A. Evarestov
Download or read book Theoretical Modeling of Inorganic Nanostructures written by R.A. Evarestov and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-01-23 with total page 678 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book deals with the theoretical and computational simulation of monoperiodic nanostructures for different classes of inorganic substances. These simulations are related to their synthesis and experimental studies. A theoretical formalism is developed to describe 1D nanostructures with symmetric shapes and morphologies. Three types of models are considered for this aim: (i) nanotubes (rolled from 2D nanolayers and described within the formalism of line symmetry groups); (ii) nanoribbons (obtained from 2D nanolayers by their cutting along the chosen direction of translation); (iii) nanowires (obtained from 3D lattice by its sectioning along the crystalline planes parallel to the chosen direction of translation). Quantum chemistry ab-initio methods applied for LCAO calculations on electronic and vibrational properties of 1D nanostructures are thoroughly described. Understanding of theoretical aspects presented here enlarges the possibilities for synthesis of monoperiodic nanostructures with predictable morphology and better interpretation of their properties.
Book Synopsis Advanced Characterization Techniques for Thin Film Solar Cells by : Daniel Abou-Ras
Download or read book Advanced Characterization Techniques for Thin Film Solar Cells written by Daniel Abou-Ras and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2016-07-13 with total page 760 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book focuses on advanced characterization methods for thin-film solar cells that have proven their relevance both for academic and corporate photovoltaic research and development. After an introduction to thin-film photovoltaics, highly experienced experts report on device and materials characterization methods such as electroluminescence analysis, capacitance spectroscopy, and various microscopy methods. In the final part of the book simulation techniques are presented which are used for ab-initio calculations of relevant semiconductors and for device simulations in 1D, 2D and 3D. Building on a proven concept, this new edition also covers thermography, transient optoelectronic methods, and absorption and photocurrent spectroscopy.
Book Synopsis Advanced Concepts in Photovoltaics by : Arthur J. Nozik
Download or read book Advanced Concepts in Photovoltaics written by Arthur J. Nozik and published by Royal Society of Chemistry. This book was released on 2014-07-10 with total page 631 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Photovoltaic systems enable the sun’s energy to be converted directly into electricity using semiconductor solar cells. The ultimate goal of photovoltaic research and development is to reduce the cost of solar power to reach or even become lower than the cost of electricity generated from fossil and nuclear fuels. The power conversion efficiency and the cost per unit area of the phototvoltaic system are critical factors that determine the cost of photovoltaic electricity. Until recently, the power conversion efficiency of single-junction photovoltaic cells has been limited to approximately 33% - the so-called Shockley-Queisser limit. This book presents the latest developments in photovoltaics which seek to either reach or surpass the Shockley-Queisser limit, and to lower the cell cost per unit area. Progress toward this ultimate goal is presented for the three generations of photovoltaic cells: the 1st generation based on crystalline silicon semiconductors; the 2nd generation based on thin film silicon, compound semiconductors, amorphous silicon, and various mesoscopic structures; and the 3rd generation based on the unique properties of nanoscale materials, new inorganic and organic photoconversion materials, highly efficient multi-junction cells with low cost solar concentration, and novel photovoltaic processes. The extent to which photovoltaic materials and processes can meet the expectations of efficient and cost effective solar energy conversion to electricity is discussed. Written by an international team of expert contributors, and with researchers in academia, national research laboratories, and industry in mind, this book is a comprehensive guide to recent progress in photovoltaics and essential for any library or laboratory in the field.
