The Physics of the Solar Cell

• Published in: Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering p. 1
• Main Author: Gray, Jeffery L
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons 2011; John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Subjects: basic physical principles, underlying solar cell operation ‐ familiarity with concepts of solid‐state physics; conduction‐band and valence‐band densities of state; creation of electron–hole pairs via absorption of sunlight ‐ and solar cell operation; Electrical & Power Engineering; lifetime and surface recombination effects; minority‐carrier diffusion equation; periodic crystalline structure ‐ of semiconductors, establishing its electronic properties; physics of the solar cell; Power Generation and Transmission; recombination processes in semiconductors; semiconductor solar cells ‐ and capacity to absorb light; solar cell basic current–voltage characteristic ‐ solving minority carrier diffusion equation
• ISBN: 9780470721698; 0470721693
• DOI: 10.1002/9780470974704.ch3

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Fundamental Properties of Semiconductors Solar Cell Fundamentals Additional Topics Summary References