Generations of Solar Photovoltic Power Technology

Dr. P M Meena

Abstract: The exponential expansion of global energy consumption in daily life incentivizes to solicit a green and cost-effective alternative source of energy for power generation and storage. Since the advent of photovoltaic cells, crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic technology has monopolized the market, accounting for approximately 80% of the market share in 2022. Most standard second-generation technologies have efficiencies of 20-25% and they are highly priced. The cost of silicon cells has decreased and silicon technology is now one of the growing key research directions. Production-scale prototypes have also been constructed and tested with 10-17% efficiency. Third-generation multi-junction solar cells, on the contrary are already commercially available and have accomplished exceptional conversion factors from 40% to over 50%, making this technology the best. Technological breakthrough in multi-junction solar cells based on n-type silicon and functional nanomaterials like graphene provide a promising strategy to low-cost, high-efficiency cells. Multi-junction cells, benefit from nanotechnology advancements, are currently breaking efficiency records of nearly 45%. This paper addresses the recent applications of PV- technology including the super-capacitors and energy storage devices in addition to their future potentials.

Keywords: Solar photovoltaic, multijunction cells, conversion factor, nanotechnology, supercapacitors, energy storage devices