
Organic solar cells make use of low-cost organic polymers forphotovoltaics. Although these solar cells may appear to be quitedifferent from solar cells made with conventional, inorganicsemiconductors (e.g. they make use of exciton generation rather than electron-hole generation) this tutorialshows that the essential device physics is readily understood in termsof familiar solar cell fundamentals. The use of phase-segregated, "bulk heterojunction" structures to enhance the short-circuit current is described.
Aug 29, 2011

Thin film solar cells promise acceptable efficiency at low cost. This tutorial examines the device physics of thin-film solar cells, which generally require a different type of analysis than crystalline solar cells.
Aug 29, 2011

Solar cell performance is determined by generation and recombination of electron-hole pairs. This tutorial focussing on recombination losses in crystalline silicon solar cells under short-circuit and open-circuit conditions.
Aug 19, 2011

An introduction to solar cells covering the basics of PN junctions, optical absorption, and IV characteristics. Key technology options and economic considers are briefly presented.
Aug 19, 2011

Modeling and simulation play an important role in designing and optimizing PV systems. This tutorial is a broad overview of the topic including a look at detailed, numerical device simulation.
Jul 20, 2011