Prospects of Nanostructure‐Based Solar Cells for Manufacturing Future Generations of Photovoltaic Modules

Abstract

We present a comprehensive review on prospects for one-, two-, or three-dimensional nanostructure-based solar cells for manufacturing the future generation of photovoltaic (PV) modules. Reducing heat dissipation and utilizing the unabsorbed part of the solar spectrum are the key driving forces for the development of nanostructure-based solar cells. Unrealistic assumptions involved in theoretical work and the tendency of stretching observed experimental results are the primary reasons why quantum phenomena-based nanostructures solar cells are unlikely to play a significant role in the manufacturing of future generations of PV modules. Similar to the invention of phase shift masks (to beat the conventional diffraction limit of optical lithography) clever design concepts need to be invented to take advantage of quantum-based nanostructures. Silicon-based PV manufacturing will continue to provide sustained growth of the PV industry.

Making Solar Cells a Reality in Every Home: Opportunities and Challenges for Photovoltaic Device Design

“…Clever design concepts are necessary to exploit quantum confinement in nanostructured solar cells [138]. One enticing possibility is to use the dependence of the bandgap on the size of nanograins in nanostructured silicon.…”

Types of Solar Cells and Application

“…It is argued that many measurements of the efficiency of the nanocrystal solar cell are incorrect and that nanocrystal solar cells are not suitable for large scale manufacturing. [43] Recent research has experimented with lead selenide (PbSe) semiconductor, as well as with cadmium telluride photovoltaics (CdTe), which has already been well established in the production of second-generation thin film solar cells. Other materials are being researched as well.…”

Photovoltaics: Emerging role as a dominant electricity generation technology in the 21^st century

“…However by using other materials that satisfies the manufacturing criterion discussed earlier in section III-A, it is possible to develop third generation photovoltaics. In recent publications [39,40] we have shown that other than multiple junction PV systems, due to fundamental considerations of device physics and manufacturing, no other type of third generation PV system has any prospect of being manufactured.…”