PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER-GENERATION

The wide acceptance and utilization of the photovoltaic generation of electrical power depends on our ability to reduce the cost of photovol taic systems. This, in turn, largely hinges on our ability to decrease the cost of production of solar cells and panels while at the same ti me increasing their conversion efficiency. A short tutorial on solar c ells is followed by a discussion of the types of solar cells that are presently being investigated for cost reduction and efficiency improve ment. Many types of cells are under investigation as are a wide range of materials. Impressive efficiency improvements have been achieved fo r many types of cells that are potentially low cost in large-volume pr oduction.