It is well known that the overall performance of a solar cell is limited by the worst performing areas of the device. These areas are usually micro and nano-scale defects inhomogenously distributed throughout the material. Mitigating and/or engineering these effects is necessary to provide a path towards increasing the efficiency of state-of-the-art solar cells. The first big challenge is to identify the nature, origin and impact of such defects across length scales that span multiple orders of magnitude, and dimensions (time, temperature etc.). In this work, I present a framework based on correlative X-ray microscopy and big data analytics to identify micro and nanoscale defects and their impact on material properties in CuIn1-xGaxSe2 (CIGS) solar cells. Synchrotron based X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray Beam Induced Current (XBIC) are used to study the effect that compositional variations, between grains and at grain boundaries, have on CIGS device properties. An experimental approach is presented to correcting XRF and XBIC quantification of CIGS thin film solar cells. When applying XRF and XBIC to study low and high gallium CIGS devices, it was determined that increased copper and gallium at grain boundaries leads to increased collection efficiency at grain boundaries in low gallium absorbers. However, composition variations were not correlated with changes in collection efficiency in high gallium absorbers, despite the decreased collection efficiency observed at grain boundaries. Understanding the nature and impact of these defects is only half the battle; controlling or mitigating their impact is the next challenge. This requires a thorough understanding of the origin of these defects and their kinetics. For such a study, a temperature and atmosphere controlled in situ stage was developed. The stage was utilized to study CIGS films during a rapid thermal growth process. Comparing composition variations across different acquisition times and growth temperatures required the implementation of machine learning techniques, including clustering and classification algorithms. From the analysis, copper was determined to segregate faster than indium and gallium, and clustering techniques showed consistent elemental segregation into copper rich and copper poor regions. Ways to improve the current framework and new applications are also discussed.

Solar Cell Device Physics offers a balanced, in-depth qualitative and quantitative treatment of the physical principles and operating characteristics of solar cell devices. Topics covered include photovoltaic energy conversion and solar cell materials and structures, along with homojunction solar cells. Semiconductor-semiconductor heterojunction cells and surface-barrier solar cells are also discussed. This book consists of six chapters and begins by introducing the reader to the basic physical principles and materials properties that are the foundations of photovoltaic energy conversion, with emphasis on various photovoltaic devices capable of efficiently converting solar energy into usable electrical energy. The electronic and optical properties of crystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous materials with both organic and inorganic materials are considered, together with the manner in which these properties change from one material class to another and the implications of such changes for photovoltaics. Generation, recombination, and bulk transport are also discussed. The two mechanisms of photocarrier collection in solar cells, drift and diffusion, are then compared. The remaining chapters focus on specific solar cell device classes defined in terms of the interface structure employed: homojunctions, semiconductor-semiconductor heterojunctions, and surface-barrier devices. This monograph is appropriate for use as a textbook for graduate students in engineering and the sciences and for seniors in electrical engineering and applied physics, as well as a reference book for those actively involved in solar cell research and development.

The book is a multi-author survey (in 15 chapters) of the current state of knowledge and recent developments in our understanding of oxide surfaces. The author list includes most of the acknowledged world experts in this field. The material covered includes fundamental theory and experimental studies of the geometrical, vibrational and electronic structure of such surfaces, but with a special emphasis on the chemical properties and associated reactivity. The main focus is on metal oxides but coverage extends from 'simple' rocksalt materials such as MgO through to complex transition metal oxides with different valencies.

This book reviews the current status of semiconductor materials for conversion of sunlight to electricity, and highlights advances in both basic science and manufacturing. Photovoltaic (PV) solar electric technology will be a significant contributor to world energy supplies when reliable, efficient PV power products are manufactured in large volumes at low cost. Expert chapters cover the full range of semiconductor materials for solar-to-electricity conversion, from crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon to cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium sulfide selenides, dye sensitized solar cells, organic solar cells, and environmentally friendly copper zinc tin sulfide selenides. The latest methods for synthesis and characterization of solar cell materials are described, together with techniques for measuring solar cell efficiency. Semiconductor Materials for Solar Photovoltaic Cells presents the current state of the art as well as key details about future strategies to increase the efficiency and reduce costs, with particular focus on how to reduce the gap between laboratory scale efficiency and commercial module efficiency. This book will aid materials scientists and engineers in identifying research priorities to fulfill energy needs, and will also enable researchers to understand novel semiconductor materials that are emerging in the solar market. This integrated approach also gives science and engineering students a sense of the excitement and relevance of materials science in the development of novel semiconductor materials. · Provides a comprehensive introduction to solar PV cell materials · Reviews current and future status of solar cells with respect to cost and efficiency · Covers the full range of solar cell materials, from silicon and thin films to dye sensitized and organic solar cells · Offers an in-depth account of the semiconductor material strategies and directions for further research · Features detailed tables on the world leaders in efficiency demonstrations · Edited by scientists with experience in both research and industry

This book includes papers presented at the Second International Conference on Electronic Engineering and Renewable Energy (ICEERE 2020), which focus on the application of artificial intelligence techniques, emerging technology and the Internet of things in electrical and renewable energy systems, including hybrid systems, micro-grids, networking, smart health applications, smart grid, mechatronics and electric vehicles. It particularly focuses on new renewable energy technologies for agricultural and rural areas to promote the development of the Euro-Mediterranean region. Given its scope, the book is of interest to graduate students, researchers and practicing engineers working in the fields of electronic engineering and renewable energy.

A bird's-eye view of the developmental trends and problems of recent photovoltaics is presented. The worldwide effort to develop high-efficiency low-cost PV modules, making use of most efficient solar cells and clever low-cost solar concentrators is described.