PV Solar Energy, Challenges and Opportunities

摘要

PV solar energy contributes a small part of the current renewable energy mix but early adopter countries such as Japan and Germany have stimulated a global industry that looks set to make a significant impact on future energy needs.The current and projected costs of PV modules are discussed and the ways in which materials science can contribute to reducing this barrier to wider adoption of PV. A comparison is made between the relatively mature crystalline silicon PV cells that currently dominate the market and thin film PV cells that offer the promise of much lower cost PV modules. The thin film cells need to improve in conversion efficiency and be capable of large scale manufacture. Some examples of current materials research in CdTe PV cells is given and suggestions made as to how these will be improved in the future.