Perovskite Photovoltaics

Basic to Advanced Concepts and Implementation

Aparna Thankappan, Sabu Thomas

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2018
• ISBN:
  9780128129166
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Renewable Power Resources
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Perovskite Photovoltaics: Basic to Advanced Concepts and Implementation examines the emergence of perovskite photovoltaics, associated challenges and opportunities, and how to achieve broader development. Consolidating developments in perovskite photovoltaics, including recent progress solar cells, this text also highlights advances and the research necessary for sustaining energy. Addressing different photovoltaics fields with tailored content for what makes perovskite solar cells suitable, and including commercialization examples of large-scale perovskite solar technology. The book also contains a detailed analysis of the implementation and economic viability of perovskite solar cells, highlighting what photovoltaic devices need to be generated by low cost, non-toxic, earth abundant materials using environmentally scalable processes.

This book is a valuable resource engineers, scientists and researchers, and all those who wish to broaden their knowledge on flexible perovskite solar cells.

• Includes contributions by leading solar cell academics, industrialists, researchers and institutions across the globe
• Addresses different photovoltaics fields with tailored content for what makes perovskite solar cells different
• Provides commercialization examples of large-scale perovskite solar technology, giving users detailed analysis on the implementation, technical challenges and economic viability of perovskite solar cells

Chapter 1

Introduction

Why Perovskite and Perovskite Solar Cells?

Sarat Kumar Sahoo, Balamurugan Manoharan and Narendiran Sivakumar, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Solar cell is an electrical device, which converts the light energy into electrical energy through the photovoltaic (PV) effect. Solar cells are classified into two categories, which are wafer-based cell and thin film–based cell. The drawbacks of wafer-based solar cell are low absorption coefficient, expensive, and efficiency of the cell will decrease in high temperature and low light conditions. To overcome these drawbacks Perovskite thin-film solar cell has been introduced with high absorption coefficient, flexible, lightweight, and the efficiency has been increased in high temperature and low light conditions. The main objectives of this chapter are to briefly discuss the origin, characteristic features, properties, applications, challenges, and future trends of perovskite solar cell.

Keywords

Solar cell; photovoltaic; thin film; efficiency; perovskite

1.1 Introduction

In recent years there is a great attention in the development of renewable energy sources due to the depletion of fossil fuels and burning of those fuels causes the environment pollution. Renewable energy sources are pollution-free energies and they contribute to reducing the greenhouse effects. Solar, Wind, Tidal, biomass are the different types of renewable energy sources utilized to generate electricity. Out of these four sources, solar energy is one of the most prominent alternative sources of energy [1]. The earth obtains 2.9×10¹⁵ kW of energy every day in the form of electromagnetic radiation from the sun, which is about 100 times the total energy consumption of the world in a year. In 1954 silicon solar cell was invented with 4% efficiency and later it was increased up to 11%. In 1977 the cost of solar power was $77/watt and later it was reduced up to 80 cents/watt. In future the demand for the solar energy will be enhanced rapidly throughout the world. The global generation of electricity in 2005 was 17,450 TWh out of which hydro plant contributed 16%, coal plant generated 40%, gas plant generated 20%, nuclear plant generated 16%, oil plant generated 7%, and only 2% contribution from renewable energy sources (hydro, solar, wind, geothermal, etc.). The resources of renewable energy are certainly available to mankind throughout the world [2]. The renewable energy sources are available in a wide range and also plentiful in nature. At present 13.5% of the world energy demand has been met by the renewable energy sector. The sector of renewable energy especially solar energy is now increasing quicker than the development of other energy in the overall market of energy. Solar energy sources have been switched for electricity generation that offers beneficiary management policies from the financial as well as the establishment of the regulatory commissions in environment theme of view. Based on the Global Status Report of Renewables 2015, global installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) is 3.7 GW in 2004 and it is increased up to 177 GW in 2014. Due to the increase in the capacity of PV the dependence of grid power is reduced and therefore the solar energy is evolved as an alternative to conventional energy. PV systems are mostly rated for domestic, industrial, and commercial applications from few kilowatts to several megawatts in rooftop mounted or building-incorporated systems. Nowadays, most of PV systems are combined with grid because for standalone systems, batteries are essential to store the energy, which will increase the cost of the entire system [3]. The government has announced subsidies to those who are generating power on their own and also injected the generated excess power into the grid, therefore people now shifted their focus toward the PV system.

1.2 Present Photovoltaic Technologies

PV technology is used to convert light energy (photons) into electrical energy. The advantages of PV system are no pollution, no greenhouse gas emission, and it is available in nature abundantly. PV technologies are broadly classified into three categories, which are wafer-based technology, silicon thin-film hybrid technology, and thin-film technology [4]. The complete list of classification of PV technology is shown in Fig. 1.1.

Figure 1.1 Classification of photovoltaic technology.

1.2.1 Wafer-Based Technology

The most preferred technology in PV market is the wafer-based technology and more than 85% of the world PV market uses this type of cells. Crystalline silicon is one of the forms of wafer-based technology. Crystalline silicon is also called as the first-generation PV technology where the wafer-based crystalline silicon is used as the active material.

Crystalline silicon is further classified into monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon. The theoretical efficiency of single-junction solar cells are of 27% and around 25% of practical efficiency has been achieved.

1.2.1.1 Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cell

The crystal structure of monocrystalline silicon is homogenous, which means the lattice parameter, electronic properties, and the orientation remains constant throughout the process. To improve the power conversion efficiency crystal structure solar cell has been used in this technology. Monocrystalline silicon requires more expensive wafers compared to other technologies and also able to produce more energy. This type of silicon is used in rooftop and space applications.

1.2.1.2 Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cell

Polycrystalline silicon is composed of a number of small crystals of low-grade silicon, which results in low cost and efficiency when compared to monocrystalline silicon. Polycrystalline silicon is the key technology for the manufacture of conventional silicon-based solar cells. More than half of the global supply of PV technology has been done through polycrystalline cell in 2006.

1.2.2 Thin-Film Technology

Thin-film solar cell comes under the category of the second-generation solar cell, which can be formed by combining one or more layers of plastic, glass, or metal. It is the most used technology for commercial applications throughout the world [5]. Thin-film solar cells are always very cheap compared to silicon solar cells and the efficiency is also very less but significant research has been carried out over the years...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Introduction: Why Perovskite and Perovskite Solar Cells?
• Chapter 2. Organometal Lead Halide Perovskite
• Chapter 3. Evolution of Perovskite Solar Cells
• Chapter 4. Perovskite Solar Cell Architectures
• Chapter 5. Hybrid Inorganic Organic Perovskites: A Low-Cost-Efficient Optoelectronic Material
• Chapter 6. Ion Migration in Hybrid Perovskites: Evolving Understanding of a Dynamic Phenomenon
• Chapter 7. Low-Dimensional Perovskites
• Chapter 8. Fabrication and Life Time of Perovskite Solar Cells
• Chapter 9. Hole Conductor–Free Perovskite Solar Cells
• Chapter 10. Heterojunction Perovskite Solar Cells
• Chapter 11. Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells
• Chapter 12. Fabrication of Semitransparent Perovskite Solar Cells
• Chapter 13. Commercialization of Large-Scale Perovskite Solar Energy Technology and Scaling-Up Issues
• Chapter 14. Perovskite Photovoltaics: Life Cycle Assessment
• Index