Emerging thin-film solar cells represent a promising and rapidly advancing technology in the field of solar energy. These solar cells offer a viable alternative to traditional silicon-based solar panels, providing numerous advantages such as flexibility, lightweight construction, and cost-effectiveness. Thin-film solar cells are composed of ultra-thin layers of semiconducting materials, which can be deposited onto several substrates, including glass, metal, or flexible materials like polymers. This versatility allows for the integration of solar cells into many applications, including curved surfaces, building materials, and portable electronic devices.
Several types of thin-film solar cells have emerged, including cadmium telluride (CdTe), and emerging technologies like perovskite and organic solar cells. Each of these technologies offers unique advantages in terms of efficiency, stability, and manufacturing cost. As research and development efforts continue, emerging thin-film solar cells are becoming more efficient, with improved power conversion rates and stability.
The research goal in the emerging thin-film solar cells field is to advance the efficiency, stability, and scalability of this innovative solar technology. Researchers aim to optimize the power conversion efficiency of thin-film solar cells by exploring new materials, device architectures, and manufacturing processes. By improving the efficiency, these solar cells can generate more electricity from sunlight, making them a more viable renewable energy option.
Additionally, researchers strive to enhance the stability of thin-film solar cells, ensuring their long-term performance and durability. This process involves developing strategies to mitigate degradation mechanisms and enhance the materials' resistance to environmental factors. Further, the goal is to scale up the production of thin-film solar cells, making them economically competitive with traditional silicon-based solar panels. Through these research efforts, emerging thin-film solar cells have the potential to revolutionize the solar energy industry and contribute significantly to the global transition to clean and sustainable energy sources.
Key themes and accepted article types for this Topic include:
• Original Research, Methods, Review, and Mini Review in Perovskite solar cells and solar modules
• Original Research, Methods, Review, and Mini Review in chalcogenide thin-film solar cells
• Original Research, Methods, Review, and Mini Review in organic photovoltaics (OPV)
• Original Research, Methods, Review, and Mini Review in tandem between perovskites, chalcogenides, Si and OPV
Keywords:
Perovskite solar cell, Chalcogenide photovoltaics, Organic photovoltaics, Tandem solar cells, Bifacial solar cell
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Emerging thin-film solar cells represent a promising and rapidly advancing technology in the field of solar energy. These solar cells offer a viable alternative to traditional silicon-based solar panels, providing numerous advantages such as flexibility, lightweight construction, and cost-effectiveness. Thin-film solar cells are composed of ultra-thin layers of semiconducting materials, which can be deposited onto several substrates, including glass, metal, or flexible materials like polymers. This versatility allows for the integration of solar cells into many applications, including curved surfaces, building materials, and portable electronic devices.
Several types of thin-film solar cells have emerged, including cadmium telluride (CdTe), and emerging technologies like perovskite and organic solar cells. Each of these technologies offers unique advantages in terms of efficiency, stability, and manufacturing cost. As research and development efforts continue, emerging thin-film solar cells are becoming more efficient, with improved power conversion rates and stability.
The research goal in the emerging thin-film solar cells field is to advance the efficiency, stability, and scalability of this innovative solar technology. Researchers aim to optimize the power conversion efficiency of thin-film solar cells by exploring new materials, device architectures, and manufacturing processes. By improving the efficiency, these solar cells can generate more electricity from sunlight, making them a more viable renewable energy option.
Additionally, researchers strive to enhance the stability of thin-film solar cells, ensuring their long-term performance and durability. This process involves developing strategies to mitigate degradation mechanisms and enhance the materials' resistance to environmental factors. Further, the goal is to scale up the production of thin-film solar cells, making them economically competitive with traditional silicon-based solar panels. Through these research efforts, emerging thin-film solar cells have the potential to revolutionize the solar energy industry and contribute significantly to the global transition to clean and sustainable energy sources.
Key themes and accepted article types for this Topic include:
• Original Research, Methods, Review, and Mini Review in Perovskite solar cells and solar modules
• Original Research, Methods, Review, and Mini Review in chalcogenide thin-film solar cells
• Original Research, Methods, Review, and Mini Review in organic photovoltaics (OPV)
• Original Research, Methods, Review, and Mini Review in tandem between perovskites, chalcogenides, Si and OPV
Keywords:
Perovskite solar cell, Chalcogenide photovoltaics, Organic photovoltaics, Tandem solar cells, Bifacial solar cell
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.