Chapter 1 Introduction to Photovoltaics 1
1.1 What is Photovoltaics? 1
1.2 Short History of Photovoltaics 3
1.3 The Future of Photovoltaics 8
Reading Material 13
Chapter 2 Basic Principles of Solar Cells 21
2.1 Semiconductors and P-N Junctions 21
2.2 Working Principle of Solar Cells 25
2.3 Characteristics of Solar Cells 28
Reading Material 32
Chapter 3 Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell 37
3.1 Silicon Material 37
3.2 Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cell 38
3.3 Multicrystalline Silicon Solar Cell 40
3.4 Ribbon Silicon 42
3.5 Silicon Cell Technology 43
3.6 Theoretical Efficiencies and Requirements for Solar Cell Materials 46
Reading Material 48
Chapter 4 Thin Film Solar Cells 56
4.1 Amorphous Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells 56
4.2 Crystalline Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cell 60
4.3 Copper Indium Diselenide and Related Compounds 64
4.4 Cadmium Telluride 66
Reading Material 68
Chapter 5 Solar Cell Modules 75
5.1 Module Circuit Design 75
5.2 Module Structure 78
5.3 Environmental Protection 79
5.4 Thermal Consideration 81
5.5 Electrical Insulation 82
5.6 Mechanical Protection 83
Reading Material 84
Chapter 6 PV Systems 88
6.1 Stand-Alone PV Systems 88
6.2 Grid-Connected PV Systems 94
6.3 Hybrid Systems 97
Reading Material 100
Chapter 7 Application of PV Systems 103
7.1 Consumer Products 103
7.2 Solar Home Systems 104
7.3 Photovoltaic Water Pumping 108
7.4 Cathodic Protection 110
7.5 Photovoltaic Powered Transport 111
7.6 photovoltaic-powered lighting systems 114
7.7 photovoltaic Remote Monitoring systems 116
7.8 Building Integrated Photovoltaics 118
7.9 PV Sound Barriers 123
7.10 Solar Power Plants 124
7.11 Space Applications 129
Reading Material 130
Chapter 8 Other Renewable Energy Sources 135
8.1 Solar Thermal Energy 135
8.2 Hydropower 137
8.3 Wind Energy 138
8.4 Biomass 139
8.5 Ocean and Wave Energy 140
8.6 Geothermal Energy 142
Reading Material 144
References 148