High efficiency solar photovoltaic and thermo-photovoltaic device technologies

This paper presents a review of various PV cell technologies, discussing advanced device structures, manufacturing processes and cell performances. The focus will be on silicon (single crystalline, polycrystalline, amorphous), III-V, II-VI, Cu-In-Ga-Se based cells. Cells and systems designs for incorporating light concentrators and for utilizing multiple light wavelengths will be discussed. For TPV applications, methods to manufacture low cost high efficiency cells based on bulk crystals of ternary III-V semiconductors will be presented. Some of our advanced cell designs for MTPV systems based on back-illumination will be shown. Higher efficiencies are predicted for TPV systems using nano-structured photonic band-gap crystal emitters (PBG-TPV). Some of the initial theoretical predictions and development of individual components for PBG-TPV and their characteristics will be discussed.