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The rapid depletion of fossil fuel reserves coupled with increasing crude oil prices and widespread environmental concerns have led many industries to focus on more efficient energy acquisition. This brand new technology study from Smithers Pira takes an in-depth look at photovoltaic (PV) systems in a sustainable energy market. Get to grips with the developments of the solar cell and the latest technology, energy and price performance analyses, and commercial applications for PV systems.
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- Future possibilities for and success of PV systems
- Price and performance analysis of solar cells
- Disruptive technologies: scenarios and recommendations
Contents
Introduction
- Purpose and scope of photovoltaics
- Propagation of solar radiation
- Terminology associated with solar radiation
- Availability of solar radiation
- Basic concepts of heat transfer
Technology Development
- Physics of the solar cell
- History of the solar cell
- Technology development (first, second and third generations)
- Silicon solar cell materials and technology
- Concentrator solar cells
- Crystalline thin film silicon
- Amorphous silicon
- Thin film materials (copper indium diselenide, copper telluride)
- Other materials and concepts
- PV modules
Energy Analysis, CO2 Migration and Credit Earned
- Energy analysis of PV module
- Energy pay back time (EPBT)
- CO2 emission
- CO2 credit earned (case study)
Price and Performance Analysis
- Characteristic curves and characteristics of solar cells
- Exergy analysis
- Energy and exergy metrics
- Market survey
- Influences on the photovoltaic market
- Cost of photovoltaics
Commercial Applications
- Underground pumping
- Street lighting
- Solar house
- Standalone system
- Photovoltaic thermal system
Disruptive Technologies Scenarios and Recommendations
- Definition of disruptive technology
- Theory
- Disruptive technology and revolutionary innovations
- Recommendations