Thin-Film Compound Semiconductor Photovoltaics - 2007: Volume 1012

Thin-Film Compound Semiconductor Photovoltaics - 2007: Volume 1012
Author: Timothy Gessert
Publisher:
Total Pages: 544
Release: 2007-11-14
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN:

Thin-film compound semiconductor photovoltaic solar cells have demonstrated efficiencies of nearly 20% and are leading candidates to provide lower-cost energy due to potential advantages in manufacturing and materials costs. To fulfill the promise, a number of technical issues are being addressed, including a lack of fundamental understanding of these unique materials, devices and processes for large-area deposition. This book focuses on advances in the materials science, chemistry, processing and device issues of thin-film compound semiconductor materials that are used, or have potential use, in photovoltaic solar cells and related applications. Topics include: growth and performance of compound thin-film solar cells; novel materials and processes; defects and impurities; industrial perspectives; contacts and interfaces; grain boundaries and inhomogeneities; and structural, optical and electronic characterization.

Advanced Characterization Techniques for Thin Film Solar Cells

Advanced Characterization Techniques for Thin Film Solar Cells
Author: Daniel Abou-Ras
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 760
Release: 2016-07-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 352769904X

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.

Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells

Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells
Author: Arvind Shah
Publisher: EPFL Press
Total Pages: 472
Release: 2010-08-19
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9781420066746

Photovoltaic technology has now developed to the extent that it is close to fulfilling the vision of a "solar-energy world," as devices based on this technology are becoming efficient, low-cost and durable. This book provides a comprehensive treatment of thin-film silicon, a prevalent PV material, in terms of its semiconductor nature, starting out with the physical properties, but concentrating on device applications. A special emphasis is given to amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon as photovoltaic materials, along with a model that allows these systems to be physically described in the simplest manner possible, thus allowing the student or scientist/engineer entering the field of thin-film electronics to master a few basic concepts that are distinct from those in the field of conventional semiconductors. The main part of the book deals with solar cells and modules by illustrating the basic functioning of these devices, along with their limitations, design optimization, testing and fabrication methods. Among the manufacturing processes discussed are plasma-assisted and hot-wire deposition, sputtering, and structuring techniques.

Fundamentals of Solar Cell Design

Fundamentals of Solar Cell Design
Author: Inamuddin
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 578
Release: 2021-08-24
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1119724708

Solar cells are semiconductor devices that convert light photons into electricity in photovoltaic energy conversion and can help to overcome the global energy crisis. Solar cells have many applications including remote area power systems, earth-orbiting satellites, wristwatches, water pumping, photodetectors and remote radiotelephones. Solar cell technology is economically feasible for commercial-scale power generation. While commercial solar cells exhibit good performance and stability, still researchers are looking at many ways to improve the performance and cost of solar cells via modulating the fundamental properties of semiconductors. Solar cell technology is the key to a clean energy future. Solar cells directly harvest energy from the sun’s light radiation into electricity are in an ever-growing demand for future global energy production. Solar cell-based energy harvesting has attracted worldwide attention for their notable features, such as cheap renewable technology, scalable, lightweight, flexibility, versatility, no greenhouse gas emission, environment, and economy friendly and operational costs are quite low compared to other forms of power generation. Thus, solar cell technology is at the forefront of renewable energy technologies which are used in telecommunications, power plants, small devices to satellites. Aiming at large-scale implementation can be manipulated by various types used in solar cell design and exploration of new materials towards improving performance and reducing cost. Therefore, in-depth knowledge about solar cell design is fundamental for those who wish to apply this knowledge and understanding in industries and academics. This book provides a comprehensive overview on solar cells and explores the history to evolution and present scenarios of solar cell design, classification, properties, various semiconductor materials, thin films, wafer-scale, transparent solar cells, and so on. It also includes solar cells’ characterization analytical tools, theoretical modeling, practices to enhance conversion efficiencies, applications and patents.

State-of-the-Art Program on Compound Semiconductors 50 (SOTAPOCS 50) -and- Processes at the Semiconductor Solution Interface 3

State-of-the-Art Program on Compound Semiconductors 50 (SOTAPOCS 50) -and- Processes at the Semiconductor Solution Interface 3
Author: A. G. Baca
Publisher: The Electrochemical Society
Total Pages: 447
Release: 2009-05
Genre: Compound semiconductors
ISBN: 1566777119

This issue of ECS Transactions contain the most recent developments in compound semiconductors encompassing advanced devices, materials growth, characterization, processing, device fabrication, reliability, and other related topics, as well as the most recent developments in processes at the semiconductor/solution interface including etching, oxidation, passivation, film growth, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical processes, electroluminescence, photoluminescence, and other related topics.

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy
Author: Bent Sorensen
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 2042
Release: 2018-12-14
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1317740920

This four-volume set, edited by a leading expert in the field, brings together in one collection a series of papers that have been fundamental to the development of renewable energy as a defined discipline. Some of the papers were first published many years ago, but they remain classics in their fields and retain their relevance to the understanding of current issues. The papers have been selected with the assistance of an eminent international editorial board. The set includes a general introduction and each volume is introduced by a new overview essay, placing the selected papers in context. The range of subject matter is considerable, including coverage of all the main renewable technologies, the fundamental principles by which they function, and the issues around their deployment such as planning, integration and socio-economic assessment. Overall, the set provides students, teachers and researchers, confronted with thousands of journal articles, book chapters and grey literature stretching back decades, with a ready-made selection of and commentary on the most important key writings in renewable energy. It will be an essential reference for libraries concerned with energy, technology and the environment.

Reliability and Ecological Aspects of Photovoltaic Modules

Reliability and Ecological Aspects of Photovoltaic Modules
Author: Abdulkerim Gok
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
Total Pages: 171
Release: 2020-01-08
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1789848229

Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy is expected to be the world's largest source of electricity in the future. To enhance the long-term reliability of PV modules, a thorough understanding of failure mechanisms is of vital importance. In addition, it is important to address the potential downsides to this technology. These include the hazardous chemicals needed for manufacturing solar cells, especially for thin-film technologies, and the large number of PV modules disposed of at the end of their lifecycles. This book discusses the reliability and environmental aspects of PV modules.

Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
Author: Sascha Sadewasser
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 334
Release: 2011-10-22
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3642225667

Over the nearly 20 years of Kelvin probe force microscopy, an increasing interest in the technique and its applications has developed. This book gives a concise introduction into the method and describes various experimental techniques. Surface potential studies on semiconductor materials, nanostructures and devices are described, as well as application to molecular and organic materials. The current state of surface potential at the atomic scale is also considered. This book presents an excellent introduction for the newcomer to this field, as much as a valuable resource for the expert.

Chalcogenide Photovoltaics

Chalcogenide Photovoltaics
Author: Roland Scheer
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 398
Release: 2011-03-31
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3527633723

This first comprehensive description of the most important material properties and device aspects closes the gap between general books on solar cells and journal articles on chalcogenide-based photovoltaics. Written by two very renowned authors with years of practical experience in the field, the book covers II-VI and I-III-VI2 materials as well as energy conversion at heterojunctions. It also discusses the latest semiconductor heterojunction models and presents modern analysis concepts. Thin film technology is explained with an emphasis on current and future techniques for mass production, and the book closes with a compendium of failure analysis in photovoltaic thin film modules. With its overview of the semiconductor physics and technology needed, this practical book is ideal for students, researchers, and manufacturers, as well as for the growing number of engineers and researchers working in companies and institutes on chalcogenide photovoltaics.