Solar photovoltaics (PV): A sustainable solution to solve energy crisis

Abstract

Although sun is the source of all forms of energy including the energy contained in fossil fuels, the term "solar energy" is meant the energy obtained directly from sun's radiation. Solar photovoltaic (PV) is the most promising of all the active solar energy technologies. This technology is affordable and the source of this energy is inexhaustible. Moreover, it is the cleanest source of energy developed so far, thereby establishing it as a sustainable solution to solve energy crisis. This chapter presents a succinct picture of the solar PV technology along with classification and application areas. The status of the technology maturity and energy-exergy and economic aspects of PV technology has also been addressed.