ReferencesReferences

Toward cost-effective solar energy useScience, v 315, n 5813, 9 Feb. 2007, p 798-801

Nanostructures for photovoltaicsMaterials Science and Engineering R: Reports, v 62, n 6, Nov 10, 2008, p 175-189

Nanoscience and nanotechnology for advanced energy systemsCurrent Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, v 10, n 3-4, June/August, 2006, p 132-143

Selected nanotechnologies for renewable energy applicationsInternational Journal of Energy Research, v 31, n 6-7, May, 2007, p 619-636

Renewable energy systems - SolarRenewable energy systems - Solar

Photovoltaics (PV): convert sun’s energy directly to electricity Solar hydrogen: use sun’s energy to create H2 by splitting water

H2 storage: storing H2 in solid-state forms

Hydrogen fuel cell: using H2 to create electricity

Solar thermal: capturing and storing heat from sun

Photovoltaics (PV): convert sun’s energy directly to electricity Solar hydrogen: use sun’s energy to create H2 by splitting water

H2 storage: storing H2 in solid-state forms

Hydrogen fuel cell: using H2 to create electricity

Solar thermal: capturing and storing heat from sun

Solar furnace in France Solar thermal power plant in California Mojave desert. Nine plants with a total capacity of 350 MW providing enough electricity to meet the residential needs of a city with 250,000

Solar Cell Efficiency Solar Cell Efficiency

Efficiency limits for single-junction and tandem solar cells Solar Energy Materials and Solar CellsVolume 90, Issues 18-19, 23 November 2006, Pages 2952-295914th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference

Carrier mobility, structural order, and solar cell efficiency of organic heterojunction devicesStreet, R.A. (Palo Alto Research Center) Source: Applied Physics Letters, v 93, n 13, , 2008, p 133308

Recent publications

Designing randomness -the impact of textured surfaces on the efficiency of thin-film solar cellsConference on Quantum Electronics and Laser Science (QELS) - Technical Digest Series, 2008 Conference on and Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference Lasers and Electro-Optics, QELS, 2008, p 4552597

Enhanced efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell using double-layered conducting glassThin Solid Films, v 516, n 21, 1 Sept. 2008, p 7802-6

Ultra-high efficiency solar cells: The path for mass penetration of solar electricityElectronics Letters, v 44, n 16, , 2008

Textured silicon for reducing reflections

Tandem solar cellTandem solar cell

Tandem solar cells contain two or more cells that enable light absorption over a broader range of wavelengths

Tandem solar cells contain two or more cells that enable light absorption over a broader range of wavelengths

Triple-junction solar cell

Novel materials for high-efficiency III-V multi-junction solar cellsSolar Energy, v 82, n 2, Feb. 2008, p 173-80

Thin film nanocrystalline silicon and nanostructured interfaces for multibandgap triple junction solar cellsSurface and Interface Analysis, v 40, n 6-7, June/July, 2008, p 970-973

Organic tandem and multi-junction solar cellsAdvanced Functional Materials, v 18, n 2, Jan 24, 2008, p 169-181

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

Nanostructures in DSSCsNanostructures in DSSCs

Increase surface area of semiconductor to increase light absorption Optimization of dye/semiconductor interface relies on nanoscale characterization and fabrication methods

Increase surface area of semiconductor to increase light absorption Optimization of dye/semiconductor interface relies on nanoscale characterization and fabrication methods

DSSC with ZnO nanowires

TiO2 nanotubes

Solar EnergySolar Energy

Improvements in efficiency Significant reduction in manufacturing costs

Improvements in efficiency Significant reduction in manufacturing costs

All done in cost-effective manner

More energy from sunlight strikes Earth in 1 hour than all energy consumed by humans in an entire year

Requirements for solar to be a primary source of energy Captured Converted Stored

More energy from sunlight strikes Earth in 1 hour than all energy consumed by humans in an entire year

Requirements for solar to be a primary source of energy Captured Converted Stored

To be cost competitive with fossil fuels, solar electricity must see

Efficiencies of shipped PV modules: 15 - 20% at ~ $300/m2