Photovoltaic cells provide clean, reversible electrical power from the sun. Made from semiconductors, they are durable, silent in operation and free of polluting emissions. In this book, experts from all sectors of the PV community — materials scientists, physicists, production engineers, economists and environmentalists — give their critical appraisals of where the technology is now and what its prospects are.

Contents:

• The Past and Present (M D Archer)
• Device Physics of Silicon Solar Cells (J O Schumacher & W Wettling)
• Principles of Cell Design (J Poortmans et al.)
• Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells (M A Green)
• Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells (C R Wronski & D E Carlson)
• Cadmium Telluride Solar Cells (D Bonnet)
• Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ Solar Cells (U Rau & H W Schock)
• Super-High Efficiency III–V Tandem and Multijunction Cells (M Yamaguchi)
• Organic Photovoltaic Devices (J J M Halls & R H Friend)
• Quantum Well Solar Cells (J Nelson)
• Thermophotovoltaic Generation of Electricity (T J Coutts)
• Concentrator Cells and Systems (A Luque)
• Cells and Systems for Space Applications (C M Hardingham)
• Storage of Electrical Energy (R M Dell)
• Photovoltaic Modules, Systems and Applications (N M Pearsall & R Hill)
• The Photovoltaic Business: Manufacturers and Markets (B McNelis)
• The Economics of Photovoltaic Technologies (D Anderson)
• The Outlook for PV in the 21st Century (E H Lysen & B Yordi)

"... is an excellent resource for its intended readership of students, scientists and technologists working in the area ... it is well indexed, and includes a handy list of useful web and library references. At the very least, the book deserves a place in the library of every research institution and company working on renewable energy."

"With a broad range of coverage, many references in each chapter, and an appendix listing useful quantities, factors and symbols, this book would be an excellent reference source for any one working in the field of photovoltaics."

"It is timely, up-to-date and a very comprehensive work. The chapters are written by leading experts in their field who are able to communicate the technology and their enthusiasm ... Photovoltaic R&D is a multi-disciplinary activity, and most chapters should be accessible to advanced undergraduate students, postgraduates and researchers with a wide range of backgrounds. It can be recommended to those starting a PhD in the area and to existing researchers in other fields who wish to find out what all the excitement is about."