The state-of-the-art and future development of the photovoltaic technologies - The route from crystalline to nanostructured and new emerging materials

Abstract

Photovoltaic technology has received raising attention as one of the most promising approach to environment friendly energy production. The main efforts in the PV technologies are focussed on increasing of the efficiency and decreasing of the price of the solar cells and modules. Solar cells made applying nanostructured and new emerging materials are being investigated to address this challenge. In this paper an overview of the present state of knowledge of material aspects of photovoltaic cells is given, and new materials, including nanomaterials, with the potential for using in photovoltaic devices are presented. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.