Solar photovoltaic energy harnessing

Abstract

There is an urgent need for clean and sustainable methods of power generation to meet the ever increasing demand of energy for human activities. Photovoltaic (PV) technologies are some of the most attractive forms of clean and sustainable power generation. This study introduces the basic PV process and goes on to describe the different solar PV technologies extant today. The strengths and challenges in the deployment of each of the prominent technologies are described. The study concludes by highlighting the government plans for promoting PV and the short, medium and long term initiatives that need to be undertaken in the Indian context for the success of solar PV to harness the sun's energy effectively.