Solar Energy Conversion 0444898182, 9780444898180, 9780080541426

Table of contents :
Front Cover......Page 1
Solar Energy Conversion: The Solar Cell......Page 4
Copyright Page......Page 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS......Page 12
PREFACE......Page 6
Introduction......Page 16
Consumption......Page 18
Conventional Sources of Energy......Page 22
Alternative Energy Sources......Page 31
References......Page 51
Introduction......Page 54
Sunlight......Page 55
Geometrical Effects......Page 59
Weather......Page 69
Light Collection......Page 72
References......Page 84
Introduction......Page 86
Crystal Structure......Page 87
Quantum Mechanics and Energy Bands......Page 91
Electrons and Holes......Page 98
Currents......Page 106
Recombination and Carrier Lifetime......Page 112
Junctions......Page 123
References......Page 130
Introduction......Page 134
Reflection......Page 135
Light Interaction......Page 138
Preliminary Material Selection......Page 144
Absorption......Page 147
Reflection and Absorption......Page 160
References......Page 166
Introduction......Page 170
Local Electric Fields......Page 171
PN Junction Electrical Characteristics......Page 173
Heterojunction Electrical Characteristics......Page 178
Electrical Characteristics of Schottky Junctions......Page 182
Open Circuit Voltage and Short Circuit Current......Page 185
Optimum Power Conditions......Page 190
References......Page 207
Introduction......Page 212
Optical Orientation......Page 214
Device Design - Minority Carrier Collection......Page 220
Device Design - Saturation Current......Page 235
Device Design - Series Resistance......Page 237
Solar Cell Performance - Discussion......Page 259
References......Page 268
Introduction......Page 272
Temperature Effects......Page 274
Heat Flow within a Solar Cell......Page 279
Optical Concentration - Photocurrent......Page 284
Performance Under Concentration......Page 287
References......Page 314
Introduction......Page 316
Second Stage Solar Power Systems......Page 317
Third Generation Solar Cell Systems......Page 330
Miscellaneous Approaches......Page 348
References......Page 351
Introduction......Page 354
Polycrystalline Solar Cells......Page 355
Amorphous Material Based Solar Cells......Page 363
Concluding Remarks......Page 373
References......Page 374
Introduction......Page 378
Economics......Page 380
Electrical Energy Storage......Page 397
The System......Page 399
Final Words......Page 402
References......Page 406
APPENDIX A: CONVERSION FACTORS......Page 412
APPENDIX B: SELECTED PROPERTIES OF SEMICONDUCTORS WITH SOLAR CELL POTENTIAL......Page 418
APPENDIX C: THE SATURATION CURRENT IN PN JUNCTION SOLAR CELLS......Page 422
APPENDIX E: SYMBOLS......Page 426
SUBJECT INDEX......Page 435