The Physics Of Solar CellsThis book provides a comprehensive introduction to the physics of the photovoltaic cell. It is suitable for undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers new to the field. It covers: basic physics of semiconductors in photovoltaic devices; physical models of solar cell operation; characteristics and design of common types of solar cell; and approaches to increasing solar cell efficiency. The text explains the terms and concepts of solar cell device physics and shows the reader how to formulate and solve relevant physical problems. Exercises and worked solutions are included. |
Contents
| 1 | |
Basic Principles of PV | 17 |
Chapter 3 Electrons and Holes in Semiconductors | 41 |
Chapter 4 Generation and Recombination | 79 |
Chapter 5 Junctions | 121 |
Chapter 6 Analysis of the pn Junction | 145 |
Chapter 7 Monocrystalline Solar Cells | 177 |
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Common terms and phrases
a-Si absorbed absorption coefficient amorphous silicon angle atoms Auger recombination band edge band gap Band profile band structure black body carrier density Chapter charge separation chemical potential concentration conduction band crystal crystalline current density dark current defect depends depletion region diffusion length doping levels effect electric field electron and hole emission emitted emitter equation excited exciton factor Fermi level front surface GaAs gap materials gradient grain boundary heterojunction hot carrier illumination impurity incident increases interface ionisation kinetic energy lattice layer light trapping limiting efficiency maximum minority carrier n type optical p-n junction path length photocurrent photon photon energy photon flux density photovoltaic devices photovoltaic materials polycrystalline quantum radiative recombination rear surface recombination rate reduced reflectivity semiconductor series resistance short circuit silicon solar cells solar cell spectrum surface recombination temperature thickness thin film transport valence band voltage wavelengths