Solar Energy Conversion Solar Electricity Generation, Photovoltaic Energy Conversion

Joachim Luther Fraunhofer-Institut for Solar Energy Systems, Freiburg, Germany Faculty for Mathematic and Physics, University of Freiburg

Exemplary path, global primary energy

geothermal other renewables solar thermal (heat only) solar power (PV and solar thermal generation) wind biomass (advanced) biomass (traditional) hydroelectricity nuclear power gas coal oil

EJ/a
1400

50

TW

40 1000

30

600

20

10 200 0 2000 2020 year 2040 2100

Source: German Advisory Council on Global Change, 2003, www.wbgu.de

Status of Solar Electrical Energy Conversion, 2005

photovoltaics: globally installed 5 500 MW, annual growth rate ~30% optically concentrating PV power plants: pilot projects solar thermal power plants: globally installed 354 MW, market restart

Solar Thermal Power Plants

Photovoltaic energy conversion

Source: Fraunhofer ISE; Bundesverband Solarindustrie, www.bsi-solar.de

Global photovoltaic market, modules

1 400 MWp / a 1 200 1 000 800 600 400 200 0
Source: PSE GmbH, 2005

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

Si flat plate PV modules, price experience curve

10 Euro/Wp

2010

1 Euro = 1,2 USD

Source: PSE GmbH, 2005

1 1 10 100 1.000 cumulated power MWp 10.000 100.000

Technological maturity of photovoltaic energy conversion has been proven Further cost reduction in PV through - less material consumption - higher efficiency - optimised manufacture This requires intensive basic and application oriented R&D, mostly incremental

Today's main technology routes in PV

silicon wafer power and architecture,

thin films architecture and power,

PV under optical concentration power plants

Adapted from W. Hoffmann

novel concepts

From basic research to manufacturing technologies

High-efficient ultra-thin solar cell

Efficiency 20,2%

Wafer thickness 42 m

a-Si transparent thin film modules

Source: Schott Solar

Photovoltaic energy conversion under optical concentration

front contact ARC n+-AlInP - window layer n-GaInP - emitter GaInP - undoped layer p-GaInP - base p+-GaInP - barrier layer p+-AlGaInP - barrier layer p++-AlGaAs n++-GaAs or GaInP n+-AlGaInP/AlInAs - barrier layer n-GaInAs - emitter GaInAs - undoped layer p-GaInAs - base 1.3 p+-GaInAs - barrier layer p+-AlGaInAs - barrier layer p++-AlGaAs n++-GaInAs n-graded Ga1-xInxAs buffer layer n- doped window- and nucleation layer n-Ge diffused emitter p-Ge substrate (100) cap layer

1.8 eV

eV

0.7 eV
rear contact

From wafer to PV power plant using high optical concentration

4-inch wafer with1000 PV cells of highest efficiency

Cell and heat sink

Tracking unit

PV power plant

Prospects of further breakthroughs in photovoltaic energy conversion Cross-disciplinary intensified basic scientific research is needed

Thermodynamical limits of solar photovoltaic energy conversion

100% 80% 60% Ts = 5 777 K Tc = 300 K 40% 20% 0% 1 10 100 1000 optical concentration 10000

Source: R. Sizmann 1991

A compilation of conceivable photovoltaic energy conversion paths

Up and down conversion of photon energy Multi-bands cells Quantum well structure Electromagnetic antenna Auger excitation Extraction of hot carriers Thermophotonics

Bottlenecks on the way from scientific ideas to applications in the energy system, examples
R&D budgets Missing reliable long term strategies Scientific and technology barriers Science-technology divide non optimal international co-operation

International Science Panel on Renewable Energies ISPRE - a Scientific Panel in Formation

The mission of ISPRE Providing strategic guidance for renewable energy S&T efforts worldwide Identifying gaps in existing efforts and recommending future S&T priorities and strategies Improving the effectiveness and coherence of national, regional and global S&T efforts The International Council for Science (ICSU) is the institutional home for ISPRE and guarantor for highest scientific quality

Resource allocation to R&D on energy utilisation in OECD countries

Renewables 2004: 1020 Million USD

Source: IEA Energy Technology R&D Statistics Service

Exemplary path, global primary energy

geothermal other renewables solar thermal (heat only) solar power (PV and solar thermal generation) wind biomass (advanced) biomass (traditional) hydroelectricity nuclear power gas coal oil

EJ/a
1400

50

TW

40 1000

30

600

20

10 200 0 2000 2020 year 2040 2100

Source: German Advisory Council on Global Change, 2003, www.wbgu.de

Presentation: www.ise-solar.info