Recent advances in solar energy harvesting materials with particular emphasis on photovoltaic materials

Publication Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2019

Journal Name

IEEE PES/IAS PowerAfrica Conference: Power Economics and Energy Innovation in Africa, PowerAfrica 2019

Abstract

The use of solar energy, as an alternative to the conventional fossil fuel based resources, has increased tremendously over the years due to its enormous and environmentally benign nature. In an effort to make solar energy harnessing more efficient and affordable, various technologies have been developed. The solar thermal technologies have achieved very impressive solar conversion efficiencies and are fully commercialized. However, PV technology is still undergoing rapid evolution in an effort to achieve high efficiencies and to reduce the cost. New materials, concepts and approaches in solar cell development have become the center of research in this field. This article gives a review on the progress of PV technology with a keen interest on the emerging PV materials that hold the prospects for achieving high efficiencies at low costs.

Keywords

Efficiency, perovskite solar cells, Photovoltaic materials, thin films, third generation solar cells

Rsif Scholar Name

Richard Kipyegon Koech

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Kenya

Cohort

Cohort 1

Thematic Area

Minerals, Mining and Materials Engineering

Africa Host University (AHU)

African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Nigeria

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