Nano-Structured Solar Cells

Dear Colleagues,

Nano-structured solar cells are an exciting and promising approach for photovoltaic energy generation, and it offers variety of choices in terms of the device design, modelling, fabrication, and analysis for the improvement of conversion efficiency. Thin-film technologies have the potential to reduce this cost by eliminating wafer slicing and reducing material consumption by a factor of more than ten. Current progress of the solar or photovoltaic system is causing demand for silicon wafers to outstrip the capacity to supply, creating a market entry opportunity for a number of competing thin-film technologies. The absorber layer can be deposited at the required thickness, greatly reducing wastage provided source material utilisation is good. There are variety of substrates, such as insulators or metals, are used for deposition of different layers using different deposition techniques. This versatility allows tailoring and engineering of the layers in order to improve device performance to improve the conversion efficiency. For large-area devices required for realistic applications, thin-film device fabrication becomes complex and requires proper control over the entire process sequence. Proper understanding of thin-film deposition processes can assist in achieving high conversion efficiency for different cells. Research and development in new, exotic, and simple materials and devices, are innovative, but simple manufacturing processes need to be pursued in a focussed manner. Therefore, we welcome research and review papers (both theoretical and experimental) for the development of high efficiency thin film solar cells and related areas. The Special Issue will encompass:

• Nano-structured solar cells for high conversion efficiency
• Design and modeling of plasmonics solar cells
• Thin film solar cells
• Solar cells and photovoltaic systems
• Nanotechnology for improvement of solar cell conversion efficiency
• Semiconductor devices for the development of thin film solar cells
• Renewable energy technologies for the development of high effocienvcy solar cells.

We welcome papers on nano-structred solar cells, thin-film solar cells, semiconductor devices, photovoltaic systems, as well as cutting-edge examples or models from industrial practice that can be used to encourage sustainable development and performance of thin film solar cells for the improvement of conversion efficiency.

Dr. Narottam Das, SMIEEE
Guest Editor

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