Photovoltaics: Emerging role as a dominant electricity generation technology in the 21^st century

摘要

Photovoltaics (PV) offer a unique opportunity to solve the 21st century's electricity generation problem because solar energy is essentially unlimited and PV systems provide electricity without any undesirable impact on the environment. With current technology of silicon based PV systems, volume manufacturing, appropriate business model and without any subsidy, PV electricity can be generated today at the cost of less than $0.10/Wp. Silicon based PV systems will continue to dominate the PV market. Multi-junction PV systems based on Si and other abundant materials have the potential of manufacturing the next generation of ultra-low cost PV modules. For storing PV electricity there are many directions that have the potential of providing a low-cost solution. Overall, the future of PV electricity generation for rich and poor all over the world is bright.