![]() ![]() ![]() PV solar power is starting to give an appreciable contribution to the energy mix in many countries for example, solar power contributes about 4% of the averaged grid electricity in the European Union, and more than 7% in countries like Germany and Italy. ![]() Solar energy has the largest potential among renewable energy sources, and it can be transformed into usable electricity by photovoltaic (PV) conversion in solar cells. Prospects for overcoming the 29% limit by means of silicon/perovskite tandems are briefly discussed. We also show how the main conclusions and trends can be described using relatively simple analytic models. The effects of extrinsic (bulk and surface) recombinations on the conversion efficiency are discussed. The efficiency limits can be calculated by solving the transport equations in the assumption of optimal (Lambertian) light trapping, which can be achieved by inserting proper photonic structures in the solar cell architecture. For a given material quality, the optimal thickness is determined by a trade-off between the competing needs of high optical absorption (requiring a thicker absorbing layer) and of efficient carrier collection (best achieved by a thin silicon layer). In this paper, we review the main concepts and theoretical approaches that allow calculating the efficiency limits of c-Si solar cells as a function of silicon thickness. Current research and production trends aim at increasing the efficiency, and reducing the cost, of industrial modules. The current efficiency record of c-Si solar cells is 26.7%, against an intrinsic limit of ~29%. Photovoltaic (PV) conversion of solar energy starts to give an appreciable contribution to power generation in many countries, with more than 90% of the global PV market relying on solar cells based on crystalline silicon (c-Si). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |