The Research and Development of the Third Generation of Photovoltaic Modules
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The Research and Development of the Third Generation of Photovoltaic Modules
Tingkai Li, Hunan Gongchuang Photovoltaic Science and Technology Co. Ltd., No.1 Hongyuan Road, Hengyang, 421005, P.R.China ABSTRACT In order to make high efficiency and low cost solar cell modules, the concept of third generation of photovoltaic modules have been provided. The first generation solar cell: Crystal Si solar cell including single crystal and poly-crystal Si solar cell；The second generation solar cell：Thin film solar cell including Si base thin film, CIGS, CdTe and III-V thin films; The third generation solar cell is the future high efficiency and low cost solar cell modules, such as low cost quantum dots solar cell, Si base thin film tandem and triple cell modules, III-V solar cell on Si, HIT solar cell and nanotechnology with no vacuum technique such as printable technologies and etc. This paper reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of each generation of the solar cell modules and technologies and discussed the research and development of the third generation of photovoltaic modules including the detail technology developments. INTRODUCTION The scientists have realized that with exhaustion of fossil fuel energy, global warming, population growth, and etc., the world already face to energy challenge & revolution [1][2]. In order to solve this problem, many governments in the world have been developing the very important projects dealing with how to generate renewable energies and how to save and manipulating energies. Table 1 list the world possible demand in next 30 years and potential renewable energies. Based on the table, the potential use of hydroelectric and wind are only 0.9 terawatts (TW) and 2TW respectively; biomass is about 5 – 7 TW and also need to use 20% of earth land mass. If the biomass used in energy applications may result in world food crisis. On the other hand, the total amount of above energy cannot meet the world energy demand of 30 – 60 TW. Geothermal energy with high cost and is also not enough. Nuclear energy is dealing with radioactive waste issue, specially, recently the radioactive leaky accident in Japan warning people to consider the nuclear energy safety issues. Therefore, using solar energy may be only Table 1: Potential renewable energies Total Energy Demand 30 -60 TW Wind 2 TW Nuclear Radioactive waste? Solar 50 – 1500 TW *using > 20% of earth land mass.
Hydroelectric Biomass Geothermal
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0.9 TW 5 – 7 TW* Cost? Not enough
solution for future energy problem. Based on solar cell research and developments, the solar cell modules can be divided into three generations[3][4]. The first generation solar cell are crystal Si solar cells, include single crystal and poly-crystal Si solar cells. The second generation solar cell are thin film solar cells, include Si base thin film, CIGS, CdTe and III-V thin films solar cells. The high efficiency and low cost Si base thin film solar cell will become main commercial solar cell products in the future. The third generation solar cell is the future
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