Solar Photovoltaic Cells

Photons to Electricity

1st Edition - November 6, 2014
Author: Alexander P. Kirk
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 0 2 3 2 9 - 7
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 0 2 6 0 3 - 8

Solar Photovoltaic Cells: Photons to Electricity outlines our need for photovoltaics - a field which is exploding in popularity and importance. This concise book provides a th… Read more

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Solar Photovoltaic Cells: Photons to Electricity outlines our need for photovoltaics - a field which is exploding in popularity and importance. This concise book provides a thorough understanding of solar photovoltaic cells including how these devices work, what can be done to optimize the technology, and future trends in the marketplace. This book contains a detailed and logical step-by-step explanation of thermodynamically-consistent solar cell operating physics, a comparison of advanced multi-junction CPV power plants versus combined-cycle thermal power plants in the framework of energy cascading, and a discussion of solar cell semiconductor resource limitations and the scalability of solar electricity as we move forward. Quantitative examples allow the reader to understand the scope of solar PV and the challenges and opportunities of producing clean electricity.

Dedication
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Energy Demand and Solar Electricity
- Abstract
- 1.1. Introduction
- 1.2. Human-sunlight connection
- 1.3. Human energy requirement
- 1.4. Electricity generation in the USA
- 1.5. Global electricity generation
Chapter 2: From Nuclear Fusion to Sunlight
- Abstract
- 2.1. Introduction
- 2.2. The massive sun
- 2.3. Nuclear fusion sequence
- 2.4. Solar neutrinos
- 2.5. Quantum mechanical tunneling
- 2.6. Radiant power
- 2.7. From core to photosphere
- 2.8. Long-distance travel
- 2.9. TSI
- 2.10. Extraterrestrial spectrum
- 2.11. Relative air mass
- 2.12. Aerosols and scattering
- 2.13. Clouds
- 2.14. Direct versus global radiation
- 2.15. Photon flux
Chapter 3: Device Operation
- Abstract
- 3.1. Introduction
- 3.2. History
- 3.3. p–n junction cells
- 3.4. Bandgap versus efficiency
- 3.5. Photogenerated current density
- 3.6. Absorption coefficient
- 3.7. Hot-carrier relaxation
- 3.8. Open circuit voltage
- 3.9. Detailed balance
- 3.10. Power conversion efficiency
- 3.11. Free energy management
- 3.12. Radiative recombination coefficient and lifetime
- 3.13. Auger and SRH lifetime
- 3.14. Minority carrier diffusion length
- 3.15. Multiple junctions
- 3.16. Hot-carrier cells
- 3.17. Device engineering details
Chapter 4: Energy Cascading
- Abstract
- 4.1. Introduction
- 4.2. Combined-cycle thermal power plants
- 4.3. Volumetric power density
- 4.4. Sunlight concentration with tracking
- 4.5. 6J CPV cells
- 4.6. Cell and module losses
- 4.7. Efficiency trend
- 4.8. From six to nine subcells
- 4.9. Motivation to advance the technology limits
Chapter 5: Resource Demands and PV Integration
- Abstract
- 5.1. Introduction
- 5.2. Scalability of silicon-based PV
- 5.3. Scalability of cadmium telluride-based PV
- 5.4. Scalability of CIGS-based PV
- 5.5. Scalability of germanium-based CPV
- 5.6. Scalability of gallium arsenide-based CPV
- 5.7. Soft costs
- 5.8. Solar energy storage
- 5.9. Electric grid evolution
Chapter 6: Image Gallery
- Abstract
- 6.1. Introduction
Note on Technical Content Evolution
Final Remarks
Appendix A: List of Symbols
Appendix B: Abbreviations and Acronyms
Appendix C: Physical Constants
Appendix D: Conversion Factors
Appendix E: Derivation of Absorption Coefficient
Appendix F: Derivation of Open Circuit Voltage
Appendix G: Relative Efficiency Ratio
Appendix H: Recalibrating the Orthodoxy

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