Third Generation Photovoltaics: Advanced Solar Energy Conversion (Springer Series in Photonics) [Hardcover]

Martin A. Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2003 | ISBN-10: 3540401377 | ISBN-13: 978-3540401377 | Edition: 1

Photovoltaics, the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity, is now the fastest growing technology for electricity generation. Present "first generation" products use the same silicon wafers as in microelectronics. "Second generation" thin-films, now entering the market, have the potential to greatly improve the economics by eliminating material costs. Martin Green, one of the world’s foremost photovoltaic researchers, argues in this book that "second generation" photovoltaics will eventually reach its own material cost constraints, engendering a "third generation" of high performance thin-films. The book explores, self-consistently, the energy conversion potential of advanced approaches for improving photovoltaic performance and outlines possible implementation paths.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Martin A. Green of the University of New South Wales, Sydney, is arguably the most renowned scientist in the field of photovoltaics … The book is well written, covers all the important concepts, and gives the right references. Green manages to keep the reader’s attention in spite of some arduous derivations … Third Generation Photovoltaics will be invaluable as a reference for anyone involved in long-term photovoltaics research and useful as textbook for courses on advanced solar energy conversion." MATERIALS TODAY

From the Back Cover

Photovoltaics, the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity, is now the fastest growing technology for electricity generation. Present "first generation" products use the same silicon wafers as in microelectronics. "Second generation" thin-films, now entering the market, have the potential to greatly improve the economics by eliminating material costs. Martin Green, one of the world’s foremost photovoltaic researchers, argues in this book that "second generation" photovoltaics will eventually reach its own material cost constraints, engendering a "third generation" of high performance thin-films. The book explores, self-consistently, the energy conversion potential of advanced approaches for improving photovoltaic performance and outlines possible implementation paths.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 172 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (August 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540401377
• ISBN-13: 978-3540401377
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,198,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars On the subject of thermodynamic limits..., October 7, 2011

By 

Bill Freeman (Waitsfield, VT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Third Generation Photovoltaics: Advanced Solar Energy Conversion (Springer Series in Photonics) (Paperback)

I wish to alert the reader interested in the thermodynamic aspects of solar energy conversion to another amazing book:

Endoreversible Thermodynamics of Solar Energy Conversion, A. de Vos

This is a complex but important subject, and I found that both these books will help the reader. Green's book is more semiconductor-centric, while de Vos presents a more general theoretical model. The book by Nelson is also a good starting point for device physics, referencing both the Green and de Vos books on thermo material.

3.0 out of 5 stars Difficult to follow, September 7, 2011

By 

Teddy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Third Generation Photovoltaics: Advanced Solar Energy Conversion (Springer Series in Photonics) (Paperback)

I found this book fairly difficult to follow, and the notation was a bit clumsy. Also, it is very general in the way it deals with the topics. It is good for certain topics, like the timescale of absorption of photons in a solar cell and how fast the excited electrons cool, however the section on the thermodynamics I found to be fairly difficult to follow. I think that the book "The Physics of Solar Cells" by Nielson is much easier to follow.

2.0 out of 5 stars OK but not well organized and not very clear on many areas...for graduate level only, July 27, 2011

By 

jacke chen (Arcadia, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Third Generation Photovoltaics: Advanced Solar Energy Conversion (Springer Series in Photonics) (Paperback)

This book is not for undergraduate level students. Many equations are not derived but just presented in the book assuming you know all the details. To read this book, you will need background in Thermal Physics and Semiconductor Physics (PN junction). Also, the continuity of ideas are not well organized in each chapter and jumping around without pointing out the significance of it. One need to work on the exercises of each chapter in order to grasp a better understanding in the text. Different ideas are tossing around inside the book's chapters with no practical importance at all. All useful infomation is contained in the first 5 chapters and readers can neglect the rest of the books since it would not help you in any way in practice. (I would call those device ideas presented after chapter 5 : "imaginary devices" that will never happen in your life time)

For engineer/scientist who wants to be exposed in this field (for the first time), Professor Peter Wurful's book "Physics of Solar Cells" is a much better book and a lot easier to read. (Also very well organized and presented in a systemical way.) I strongly recommend people to read Peter Wurful's book before reading this book, otherwise you will be VERY frustrated.

It is not a bad book but..... not suitable for most of engineers.....except for people with very strong background in this field. Hence only 2 stars!