Next Generation Photovoltaics And Photoelectrochemistry

The papers included in this issue of ECS Transactions were originally presented in the symposium ¿Next Generation Photovoltaics¿, held during the 212th meeting of The Electrochemical Society, in Washington, DC, from October 7 to 12, 2007.

Although photovoltaics are regarded by many as the most likely candidate for long term sustainable energy production, their implementation has been restricted by the high costs involved. Nevertheless, the theoretical limit on photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency-above 85%-suggests that there is room for substantial improvement of current commercially available solar cells, both silicon and thin-film based. Current research efforts are focused on implementing novel concepts to produce a new generation of low-cost, high-performance photovoltaics that make improved use of the solar spectrum. Featuring contributions from pioneers of next generation photovoltaic research, Next Generation Photovoltaics: High Efficiency through Full Spectrum Utilization presents a comprehensive account of the current state-of-the-art in all aspects of the field. The book first discusses topics, such as multi-junction solar cells (the method closest to commercialization), quantum dot solar cells, hot carrier solar cells, multiple quantum well solar cells, and thermophotovoltaics. The final two chapters of the book consider the materials, fabrication methods, and concentrator optics used for advanced photovoltaic cells. This book will be an essential reference for graduate students and researchers working with solar cell technology.

This book presents new concepts for a next generation of PV. Among these concepts are: Multijunction solar cells, multiple excitation solar cells (or how to take benefit of high energy photons for the creation of more than one electron hole-pair), intermediate band solar cells (or how to take advantage of below band-gap energy photons) and related technologies (for quantum dots, nitrides, thin films), advanced light management approaches (plasmonics). Written by world-class experts in next generation photovoltaics this book is an essential reference guide accessible to both beginners and experts working with solar cell technology. The book deeply analyzes the current state-of-the-art of the new photovoltaic approaches and outlines the implementation paths of these advanced devices. Topics addressed range from the fundamentals to the description of state-of-the-art of the new types of solar cells.

This book presents new concepts for a next generation of PV. Among these concepts are: Multijunction solar cells, multiple excitation solar cells (or how to take benefit of high energy photons for the creation of more than one electron hole-pair), intermediate band solar cells (or how to take advantage of below band-gap energy photons) and related technologies (for quantum dots, nitrides, thin films), advanced light management approaches (plasmonics). Written by world-class experts in next generation photovoltaics this book is an essential reference guide accessible to both beginners and experts working with solar cell technology. The book deeply analyzes the current state-of-the-art of the new photovoltaic approaches and outlines the implementation paths of these advanced devices. Topics addressed range from the fundamentals to the description of state-of-the-art of the new types of solar cells.

This book provides an overall view of the photoelectrochemical systems for solar hydrogen generation, and new and novel materials for photoelectrochemical solar cell applications. The book is organized in three parts. General concepts and photoelectrochemical systems are covered in Part I. Part II is devoted to photoactive materials for solar hydrogen generation. Main focus of the last part is the photoelectrochemical related systems. This part provides a diverse information about the implementation of multi-junctional solar cells in solar fuel generation systems, dye-sensitized solar hydrogen production and photocatalytic formation of photoactive semiconductors.

Metal Oxides for Next Generation Optoelectronic, Photonic and Photovoltaic Applications focuses on the optoelectronic, photonic and photovoltaic behaviors of metallic oxides and closely related phenomena, from elementary principles to the latest findings. Each chapter includes a comprehensive evaluation of the synthesis and characterization of the most relevant metal oxides nanostructures for each application. In addition, there is a focus on methods to tune the materials’ properties in order to improve devices performance. This book is suitable for researchers and practitioners in academia and industry working in the disciplines of materials science and engineering, chemistry and physics. Metal oxides are widely used in various optoelectronic devices, photonics, display devices, smart windows, sensors, optical components, energy-saving, and harvesting devices. Each application requires materials with their own specific properties. By controlling the particle size, shape, crystal structure, one can tune various properties of metal oxides viz. bandgap, absorption properties, conductivity, which alter the material for the specific application. Includes discussions of synthesis and characterization of metal oxides materials for applications in next-generation optoelectronic, photonic and photovoltaic devices Emphasizes material design strategies of metal oxide nanostructures Focuses on the optoelectronic, photonic and photovoltaic behaviors of metallic oxides and closely related phenomena, from elementary principles to the latest findings

This book describes the critical areas of research and development towards viable integrated solar fuels systems, the current state of the art of these efforts and outlines future research needs.

The Future of Semiconductor Oxides in Next-Generation Solar Cells begins with several chapters covering the synthesis of semiconductor oxides for NGSCs. Part II goes on to cover the types and applications of NGSCs currently under development, while Part III brings the two together, covering specific processing techniques for NGSC construction. Finally, Part IV discusses the stability of SO solar cells compared to organic solar cells, and the possibilities offered by hybrid technologies. This comprehensive book is an essential reference for all those academics and professionals who require thorough knowledge of recent and future developments in the role of semiconductor oxides in next generation solar cells. Unlocks the potential of advanced semiconductor oxides to transform Next Generation Solar Cell (NGSC) design Full coverage of new developments and recent research make this essential reading for researchers and engineers alike Explains the synthesis and processing of semiconductor oxides with a view to their use in NGSCs