Photovoltaic Solar Energy Generation / Edition 1

by Adolf Goetzberger, Volker Uwe Hoffmann

Overview

The intention of this book is to provide an impression of all aspects of p- tovoltaics (PV). It is not just about physics and technology or systems, but it looks beyond that at the entire environment in which PV is embedded. The first chapter is intended as an introduction to the subject. It can also be considered an executive summary. Chapters 2–4 describe very briefly the basic physics and technology of the solar cell. The silicon cell is the vehicle for this description because it is the best understood solar cell and also has the greatest practical importance. A reader who is not interested in the ph- ical details of the solar cell can skip Chap.2 and still understand the rest of the book. In general, it was the intention of the authors to keep the book at a level that does not require too much previous knowledge of photovoltaics. Chapter 5 is devoted too the materials and new concepts presently under- velopment or consideration. It intends to provide an impression of the many possibilities that exist for the conversion of solar radiation into electricity by solid state devices. These new concepts will keep researchers occupied for decades to come. Chapter 6 gives an introduction to cell and module techn- ogy and also informs the reader about the environmental compatibility and recycling of modules. The following chapters are devoted to practical applications. Chapters 7 and 8 introduce systems technology for different applications. The envir- mental impact of PV systems and their reliability is the subject of Chap.9.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642062605
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	12/16/2010
Series:	Springer Series in Optical Sciences , #112
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2005
Pages:	234
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.02(d)

Table of Contents

What Is Photovoltaics?.- Physics of Solar Cells.- Silicon Solar Cell Material and Technology.- Crystalline Thin-Film Silicon.- Other Materials, New Concepts, and Future Developments.- Solar Cells and Solar Modules.- PV Systems.- PV Systems: Installation Possibilities.- Environmental Impacts by PV Systems.- Efficiency and Performance of PV Systems.- PV Markets Support Measures and Costs.- The Future of PV.- Other (Perhaps Competing) CO2-Free Energy Sources.- Popular Killing Arguments Against PV and Why They Are Not Valid.