Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution, 3rd Edition

2

Photovoltaic Fundamentals

2.1 Introduction 2-1

2.2 Market Drivers 2-2

2.3 Optical Absorption 2-3

Introduction • Semiconductor Materials • Generation of EHP by Photon Absorption

2.4 Extrinsic Semiconductors and the pn Junction 2-6

Extrinsic Semiconductors • pn Junction

2.5 Maximizing Cell Performance 2-10

Externally Biased pn Junction • Parameter Optimization • Minimizing Cell Resistance Losses

2.6 Traditional PV Cells 2-20

Introduction • Crystalline Silicon Cells • Amorphous Silicon Cells • Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide Cells • Cadmium Telluride Cells • Gallium Arsenide Cells

2.7 Emerging Technologies 2-24

New Developments in Silicon Technology • CIS-Family-Based Absorbers • Other III–V and II–VI Emerging Technologies • Other Technologies ...