Amorphous and Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: Modeling, Materials and Device Technology

Amorphous and Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: Modeling, Materials and Device Technology PDF Author: Ruud E.I. Schropp
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1461556317
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 215

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Book Description
Amorphous silicon solar cell technology has evolved considerably since the first amorphous silicon solar cells were made at RCA Laboratories in 1974. Scien tists working in a number of laboratories worldwide have developed improved alloys based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon. Other scientists have developed new methods for growing these thin films while yet others have developed new photovoltaic (PV) device structures with im proved conversion efficiencies. In the last two years, several companies have constructed multi-megawatt manufacturing plants that can produce large-area, multijunction amorphous silicon PV modules. A growing number of people be lieve that thin-film photovoltaics will be integrated into buildings on a large scale in the next few decades and will be able to make a major contribution to the world's energy needs. In this book, Ruud E. I. Schropp and Miro Zeman provide an authoritative overview of the current status of thin film solar cells based on amorphous and microcrystalline silicon. They review the significant developments that have occurred during the evolution of the technology and also discuss the most im portant recent innovations in the deposition of the materials, the understanding of the physics, and the fabrication and modeling of the devices.

Amorphous and Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: Modeling, Materials and Device Technology

Amorphous and Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: Modeling, Materials and Device Technology PDF Author: Ruud E.I. Schropp
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1461556317
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 215

Get Book Here

Book Description
Amorphous silicon solar cell technology has evolved considerably since the first amorphous silicon solar cells were made at RCA Laboratories in 1974. Scien tists working in a number of laboratories worldwide have developed improved alloys based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon. Other scientists have developed new methods for growing these thin films while yet others have developed new photovoltaic (PV) device structures with im proved conversion efficiencies. In the last two years, several companies have constructed multi-megawatt manufacturing plants that can produce large-area, multijunction amorphous silicon PV modules. A growing number of people be lieve that thin-film photovoltaics will be integrated into buildings on a large scale in the next few decades and will be able to make a major contribution to the world's energy needs. In this book, Ruud E. I. Schropp and Miro Zeman provide an authoritative overview of the current status of thin film solar cells based on amorphous and microcrystalline silicon. They review the significant developments that have occurred during the evolution of the technology and also discuss the most im portant recent innovations in the deposition of the materials, the understanding of the physics, and the fabrication and modeling of the devices.

Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells

Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells PDF Author: Arvind Shah
Publisher: EPFL Press
ISBN: 9781420066746
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 472

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Book Description
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.

Solar Energy

Solar Energy PDF Author: Christoph Richter
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9781461458050
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 744

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Book Description
Gathering some 30 entries from the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology, this book presents fundamental principles and technologies for sustainably harnessing solar energy. Covers photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar radiation and more.

Technology and Applications of Amorphous Silicon

Technology and Applications of Amorphous Silicon PDF Author: Robert A. Street
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3662041413
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 429

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Book Description
This book gives the first systematic and complete survey of technology and application of amorphous silicon, a material with a huge potential in electronic applications. The book features contributions by world-wide leading researchers in this field.

Optical Modeling and Simulation of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Devices

Optical Modeling and Simulation of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Devices PDF Author: Janez Krc
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1439818509
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 269

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Book Description
In wafer-based and thin-film photovoltaic (PV) devices, the management of light is a crucial aspect of optimization since trapping sunlight in active parts of PV devices is essential for efficient energy conversions. Optical modeling and simulation enable efficient analysis and optimization of the optical situation in optoelectronic and PV devices.

Silicon Based Thin Film Solar Cells

Silicon Based Thin Film Solar Cells PDF Author: Roberto Murri
Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers
ISBN: 160805456X
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 524

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Book Description
Silicon Based Thin Film Solar Cells explains concepts related to technologies for silicon (Si) based photovoltaic applications. Topics in this book focus on ‘new concept’ solar cells. These kinds of cells can make photovoltaic power production an economically viable option in comparison to the bulk crystalline semiconductor technology industry. A transition from bulk crystalline Si solar cells toward thin-film technologies reduces usage of active material and introduces new concepts based on nanotechnologies. Despite its importance, the scientific development and understanding of new solar cells is not very advanced, and educational resources for specialized engineers and scientists are required. This textbook presents the fundamental scientific aspects of Si thin films growth technology, together with a clear understanding of the properties of the material and how this is employed in new generation photovoltaic solar cells. The textbook is a valuable resource for graduate students working on their theses, young researchers and all people approaching problems and fundamental aspects of advanced photovoltaic conversion.

Thin Film Solar Cells

Thin Film Solar Cells PDF Author: Jef Poortmans
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9780470091272
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 502

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Book Description
Thin-film solar cells are either emerging or about to emerge from the research laboratory to become commercially available devices finding practical various applications. Currently no textbook outlining the basic theoretical background, methods of fabrication and applications currently exist. Thus, this book aims to present for the first time an in-depth overview of this topic covering a broad range of thin-film solar cell technologies including both organic and inorganic materials, presented in a systematic fashion, by the scientific leaders in the respective domains. It covers a broad range of related topics, from physical principles to design, fabrication, characterization, and applications of novel photovoltaic devices.

Advanced Characterization Techniques for Thin Film Solar Cells

Advanced Characterization Techniques for Thin Film Solar Cells PDF Author: Daniel Abou-Ras
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 3527699015
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 760

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Book Description
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.

Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells PDF Author: W.R. Fahrner
Publisher: Trans Tech Publications Ltd
ISBN: 3038131024
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
The world of today must face up to two contradictory energy problems: on the one hand, there is the sharply growing consumer demand in countries such as China and India. On the other hand, natural resources are dwindling. Moreover, many of those countries which still possess substantial gas and oil supplies are politically unstable. As a result, renewable natural energy sources have received great attention. Among these, solar-cell technology is one of the most promising candidates. However, there still remains the problem of the manufacturing costs of such cells. Many attempts have been made to reduce the production costs of “conventional” solar cells (manufactured from monocrystalline silicon using diffusion methods) by instead using cheaper grades of silicon, and simpler pn-junction fabrication. That is the ‘hero’ of this book; the heterojunction solar cell.

Thin Film Solar Cells

Thin Film Solar Cells PDF Author: Jef Poortmans
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470091266
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 504

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Book Description
Thin-film solar cells are either emerging or about to emerge from the research laboratory to become commercially available devices finding practical various applications. Currently no textbook outlining the basic theoretical background, methods of fabrication and applications currently exist. Thus, this book aims to present for the first time an in-depth overview of this topic covering a broad range of thin-film solar cell technologies including both organic and inorganic materials, presented in a systematic fashion, by the scientific leaders in the respective domains. It covers a broad range of related topics, from physical principles to design, fabrication, characterization, and applications of novel photovoltaic devices.