Evolution and future prospects of inorganic photovoltaics

Robert W. Birkmire

doi:10.1117/12.566609

3 November 2004 Evolution and future prospects of inorganic photovoltaics

Robert W. Birkmire

Proceedings Volume 5520, Organic Photovoltaics V; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.566609
Event: Optical Science and Technology, the SPIE 49th Annual Meeting, 2004, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Inorganic semiconductors are the backbone of present day photovoltaic (PV) technologies. The highest performance solar cells use III-V based materials in complex multijunction device structures and are used primarily in the space industry. The crystalline Si technologies are the mainstay of the commercial terrestrial markets and range from single crystal through large grain polycrystalline materials. Thin film PV technologies, which are approaching large scale manufacturing production levels, consist of polycrystalline CdTe, CuInSe2 and related alloys, and amorphous silicon (a-Si) and related alloys. The paper provides an historical background on the development of these inorganic PV technologies, followed by a discussion of the present status of each technology. The future directions being pursued to improve performance will also be discussed with emphasis on synergies between the technologies.

Citation Download Citation

Robert W. Birkmire "Evolution and future prospects of inorganic photovoltaics", Proc. SPIE 5520, Organic Photovoltaics V, (3 November 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.566609

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