Photovoltaic Modeling Handbook

The main goal of the book is to give scientists and practioners a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art models of all relevant photovoltaic technologies, detail models enabling realistic efficiency calculations, and reliable product design.

Photovoltaic Modeling Handbook provides the reader with a solid understanding of the modeling of photovoltaic devices, from very fundamental theoretic investigations to numerical simulations based on ray tracing and experimental values. The book covers both standard applications, models, new approaches and fields of research such as perovskite materials. Recognized subject-matter experts have written the chapters and they refer to simulation software and the basic literature of the field.

This groundbreaking book guides the reader to their specific application with solid background information in hand and an assessment of which materials might be appropriate. Specifically, the book covers:

• The physics of photovoltaics and the material independent efficiency limits of photovoltaic devices;
• A detailed model of a silicon-based photovoltaic module and a profound introduction to ray-tracing methods for optical numerical models;
• Numerical modeling methods and results pertaining to amorphous silicon;
• The modeling of organic semiconductors as well as an introduction to kinetic Monte Carlo methods to simulate the dynamics in organic semiconductor devices;
• Reviews a few theories on modeling the device physics of chalcogenide thin-film solar cells such as CdTe and Cu(In, Ga)(Se, S)₂ (or CIGS) devices;
• Shows the modeling of stacked multi-material solar cells for ultra-high irradiance applications;
• Details the influence of spectral variations both theoretically and experimentally with a special focus on outdoor applications;
• A discussion on indoor applications and shows the resulting ideal choice of materials and the enhanced indoor efficiencies.

Audience

The book will be read and used by both academic researchers working on photovoltaic cells and modules, as well as industrial engineers involved in the production and simulation of photovoltaic cells and modules.