Solar Cells And Their Applications

Edited by leading solar cell researcher Dr. Larry D. Partain, Solar Cells and Their Applications is a comprehensive report on the state of the art of solar cell technology. Contributions by some of the world's leading experts in the field cover a broad range of topics of vital interest to solar cell researchers, power systems designers, and all those with a professional interest in the current and future capabilities of this important technology. Following Dr. Partain's review of solar cell fundamentals, this book describes technologies that have produced superior performance in specific areas that have yet to be fully commercially exploited. In chapters by experts from government, academic, and private industry research centers, Solar Cells and Their Applications presents in-depth discussions of cell, module, and system technologies, and covers silicon, GaAs, InP, CdTe, a-Si: H, CuInSe(subscript 29) and GaSb solar cells, concentrators, multijunction cell configurations, space cells, and other related topics. As these essays demonstrate, increased efficiency, greater durability, and lower cost have made promising new applications - both terrestrial and space-based - possible. A series of probing chapters on environmental, health, and safety issues, photovoltaic market analysis, the outlook for future space program needs, and the role of government in terrestrial programs examines solar cell technology in a larger context. A concluding chapter by Dr. Partain provides a thoughtful overview of the status and potential of the solar cell field.