Solar Cell Materials Developing Technologies [Hardcover]

This book presents a comparison of solar cell materials, including both new materials based on organics, nanostructures and novel inorganics and developments in more traditional photovoltaic materials.

It surveys the materials and materials trends in the field including third generation solar cells (multiple energy level cells, thermal approaches and the modification of the solar spectrum) with an eye firmly on low costs, energy efficiency and the use of abundant non-toxic materials.List of Contributors xiii

Series Preface xv

Preface xvii

Acknowledgements xix

Abbreviations xxi

1 Introduction 1
Gavin Conibeer and Arthur Willoughby

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 The Sun 1

1.3 Book Outline 3

References 4

2 Fundamental Physical Limits to Photovoltaic Conversion 5
J.F. Guillemoles

2.1 Introduction 5

2.2 Thermodynamic Limits 8

2.2.1 The Sun is the Limit 9

2.2.2 Classical Thermodynamics Analysis of Solar Energy Conversion 10

2.3 Limitations of Classical Devices 12

2.3.1 Detailed Balance and Main Assumptions 13

2.3.2 p-n Junction 14

2.3.3 The Two-Level System Model 17

2.3.4 Multijunctions 19

2.4 Fundamental Limits of some High-Efficiency Concepts 23

2.4.1 Beyond Unity Quantum Efficiency 24

2.4.2 Beyond Isothermal Conversion: Hot-Carrier Solar Cells (HCSC) 29

2.4.3 Beyond the Single Process/ Photon: Photon Conversion 32

2.5 Conclusion 33

References 33

3 Physical Characterisation of Photovoltaic Materials 37
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