This book discusses the benefits and challenges of utilizing thin film solar cells as an alternative energy source. The field of photovoltaics has seen a large-scale manufacturing of the second genesis of thin film solar modules and has succeeded in constructing powerful solar plants in many countries across the globe. Thin film techniques using direct-gap semiconductors such as CIGS and CdTe pose minimum manufacturing costs and are now increasing in popularity amongst industries. This has led to an increase in the manufacturability of thin film solar modules as compared to wafer or ribbon Si modules. Thin films like CIGS and CdTe will soon take over wafer-based silicon solar cells as the superior photovoltaic technology. This book elucidates the scientific and technological difficulties of increasing the photoelectric efficiency of thin film solar cells. It covers various aspects of thin film solar cells varying from photovoltaics as mainstream power engineering to low cost solar cell based on cuprous oxides to application of electron beam treatment. This book will be beneficial for readers interested in this subject.

This is an advanced book on thin film solar cell techniques. This technique uses direct-gap semiconductors such as CIGS and CdTe pose minimum manufacturing costs and is now increasing in popularity amongst industries. The field of photovoltaics has seen a large-scale manufacturing of the second genesis of thin film solar modules and has succeeded in constructing powerful solar plants in many countries across the globe. This has led to an increase in the manufacturability of thin film solar modules as compared to wafer or ribbon Si modules. Thin films like CIGS and CdTe will soon take over wafer-based silicon solar cells as the superior photovoltaic technology. This book elucidates the scientific and technological difficulties of increasing the photoelectric efficiency of thin film solar cells. It covers various aspects of thin film solar cells processing, modeling and sensitive issues, analysis of monograin layer solar cell etc. The book will be beneficial for readers interested in this subject.

The various applications of solar cells are described in this insightful book. Since the last decade, photovoltaic (PV) technology has shown the capability to become an extensive source of power generation for the world - with continuous and powerful growth even during times of financial and economic crisis. This growth is believed to continue in the years ahead as the awareness of the benefits of PV expands worldwide. This book discusses a wide range of modern research issues in solar cell physics and technology areas. The already established 1st generation silicon solar cell technology, the 2nd generation thin film and the 3rd generation dye sensitized solar cells, including new technologies are discussed in this book.

This book covers topics related to photovoltaic generations, its unique scientific ideas and technical solutions. Issues related to the capability of solar cells and the hydrogen productions in photoelectrochemical solar cells have also been discussed. Usage of advanced materials, like the oxide of copper as an active substance for solar cells, InP in solar cells with MIS arrangement, AlSb for use as an absorber layer, among others, have been discussed. Furthermore, other significant topics such as the analysis of both the status and prospects of organic photovoltaics such as polymer/fullerene solar cells, poly (p-phenylene-vinylene) derivatives, etc. have also been included.

"You, 0 Sun, are the eye of the world You are the soul of all embodied beings You are the source of all creatures You are the discipline of all engaged in work" - Translated from Mahabharata 3rd Century BC Today, energy is the lifeline and status symbol of "civilized" societies. All nations have therefore embarked upon Research and Development pro grams of varying magnitudes to explore and effectively utilize renewable sources of energy. Albeit a low-grade energy with large temporal and spatial variations, solar energy is abundant, cheap, clean, and renewable, and thus presents a very attractive alternative source. The direct conver sion of solar energy to electricity (photovoltaic effect) via devices called solar cells has already become an established frontier area of science and technology. Born out of necessity for remote area applications, the first commercially manufactured solar cells - single-crystal silicon and thin film CdS/Cu2S - were available well over 20 years ago. Indeed, all space vehicles today are powered by silicon solar cells. But large-scale terrestrial applications of solar cells still await major breakthroughs in terms of discovering new and radical concepts in solar cell device structures, utilizing relatively more abundant, cheap, and even exotic materials, and inventing simpler and less energy intensive fabrication processes. No doubt, this extraordinary challenge in R/D has led to a virtual explosion of activities in the field of photovoltaics in the last several years.