Solar Innovation: Exploring the Future Possibilities of Photovoltaic Technology

By Owais AliReviewed by Laura ThomsonApr 16 2024

This article will explore the history and current state of photovoltaics and emerging trends and innovations that promise to accelerate our transition to renewable energy solutions.

Image Credit: Mariana Serdynska/Shutterstock.com

Introduction to Photovoltaic Technology

Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials in solar cells. When sunlight (photons) hits these cells, it creates an electric current through the photovoltaic effect, where electrons are released (within the material), allowing them to flow and generate electricity.

The history of photovoltaics traces back to Albert Einstein's discovery of the photoelectric effect in 1905, which laid the groundwork for solar cell development. However, it was not until 1954 that the first practical solar cell was developed at Bell Laboratories, with an efficiency of only 6%. Over time, the efficiency of solar cells has steadily increased, with the latest commercial variants exceeding 20%.¹

This remarkable progress has been driven by the growing demand for clean and renewable energy sources, which has spurred investment and innovation from governments, research institutions, and the private industry. As a result, photovoltaic technology has found diverse applications, ranging from powering residential and commercial buildings to providing electricity in remote areas and even for spacecraft.

Current State of Photovoltaic Technology

The current PV market is dominated by two main types of solar cells: crystalline silicon cells and thin-film cells.

Crystalline silicon cells, available in monocrystalline and polycrystalline forms, account for over 95% of the global PV market. These cells have achieved commercial efficiencies ranging from 15% to 24%,² with the latest monocrystalline silicon cells reaching an impressive 26.1% efficiency in laboratory settings.¹

Thin-film solar cells, made from copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe), offer a more cost-effective alternative. While their efficiencies have traditionally been lower, recent advancements have pushed them closer to the performance of polycrystalline silicon cells, with CdTe and CIGS cells achieving efficiencies of 22.1% and 23.4%, respectively.

Despite these impressive efficiency rates, the PV industry still faces challenges in further reducing costs, improving long-term durability, and addressing environmental concerns related to using certain materials, such as the toxicity of cadmium in CdTe cells.¹

Innovations Driving the Future of PV Technology

One of the most promising developments in recent years has been the rise of perovskite solar cells. These cells, made from metal halide perovskite compounds, have attracted significant attention due to their remarkable efficiency potential, low manufacturing costs, and application versatility. Perovskite solar cells have already achieved certified efficiencies of 25.2%, rivaling the best silicon-based cells, and researchers are working to improve their long-term stability.²

Organic photovoltaics represent another promising thin-film technology employing inexpensive plastic or polymer materials. While their efficiencies have historically lagged behind silicon and thin-film inorganic cells, organic solar cells have recently achieved over 15-18% efficiency using non-fullerene acceptors. Their lightweight, flexible nature makes them well-suited for applications like building-integrated photovoltaics and portable power sources.³

In addition to new cell materials, advancements in manufacturing techniques are also driving the future of PV technology. For example, roll-to-roll manufacturing processes allow for the continuous production of solar cells on flexible substrates, significantly reducing production costs and enabling new applications, such as floating photovoltaics (FPV) and agrivoltaics.⁴

In FPV, solar panels are deployed on lakes or reservoirs, minimizing evaporation and optimizing space, yielding up to 42.3 TWh/year with just 2.3% of hydropower reservoir areas.⁵

Agrivoltaics, on the other hand, involves the co-location of solar panels and agricultural activities, enabling dual land use for energy and food production. These systems can boost annual electricity generation by 1% (rising by 3% in summer) and enhance carbon dioxide uptake and water use efficiency by 65%, increasing overall productivity.⁶

Trends Shaping the Future of Solar Energy

Various trends, including supportive government policies, an increasing focus on sustainability, and global shifts in energy markets, are shaping the future of solar energy and PV technology.

Government policies, such as renewable energy targets, tax incentives, and research funding, have played a crucial role in driving the adoption and development of PV technology. As concerns over climate change and energy security grow, many governments are doubling their support for solar energy, creating a favorable environment for innovation and investment.

The European Union has adopted an ambitious solar energy strategy, aiming to deliver over 320 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity by 2025 and almost 600 GW by 2030.⁷

Similarly, the United States has implemented policies like the Investment Tax Credit and the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act to promote renewable energy adoption.^8,9

Global efforts to achieve sustainability goals (Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Agreement) are fueling advancements in PV technology, driven by growing demand for clean energy like solar power. This trend is leading to the development of more efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective PV solutions, alongside the integration of smart technologies for optimized energy generation and distribution.

Solar energy's growing affordability and accessibility drive its global adoption, even in emerging economies. It has the potential to significantly impact energy markets and climate change mitigation by decarbonizing the energy sector and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.¹⁰

Challenges and Solutions

While the future of PV technology is promising, several challenges hinder its widespread adoption. For example, organic photovoltaic cells degrade rapidly because their weak bonds break down under the influence of high-energy UV photons, leading to a decline in performance over time.

However, University of Michigan researchers have extended the lifetime of organic solar cells to 30 years by incorporating protective layers to shield against UV light and buffer layers to prevent internal degradation. This innovation enables their use in applications like power-generating windows.¹¹

Efforts are underway to develop alternative materials for solar cells, such as perovskite solar cells that do not rely on lead, addressing concerns over toxicity and environmental impact. Researchers at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology have made significant progress in this area, enhancing perovskite solar cells' efficiency and thermal stability by modifying a nanomaterial and utilizing doping techniques.¹²

Looking Ahead

As solar installations grow exponentially, integrating energy storage systems and grid-forming technologies will become increasingly important to support grid stability and enable the further deployment of renewable energy sources.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts global renewable power capacity to reach 7300 GW by 2028, with solar PV and wind contributing 95% to this expansion. This rapid growth positions the world closer to tripling global renewable capacity by 2030, as established at the COP28 climate change conference.¹³

Wood Mackenzie, a global energy transition data and analysis firm, predicts that global solar installations are expected to maintain a steady annual average growth over the next eight years, reaching around 350 GW per year between 2024 and 2032, with peaks of 371 GW in 2025 and 2030.

However, Europe's solar installation growth is expected to slow to an average annual rate of 4% over the next five years after reaching peaks of 38% in 2022 and 26% in 2023.

In the United States, growth is forecasted to drop 6% from 2024 to 2028, following a 27% increase between 2019 and 2023. However, implementing the Inflation Reduction Act in 2024 is predicted to drive growth in contracted utility-scale solar projects and domestic module manufacturing, with 40 GW of capacity expected to be operational by year-end.¹⁴

What are the latest breakthroughs in photovoltaic cell materials and designs?

The latest breakthroughs in photovoltaic cell materials and designs include perovskite solar cells that achieve over 25% efficiency, organic photovoltaics that reach 15-18% efficiency, and emerging quantum dot solar cells that demonstrate rapid efficiency gains.

How are innovations in photovoltaic technology addressing current limitations in efficiency and cost?

Multi-wire sawing and wafer processing techniques in crystalline silicon cell manufacturing have minimized material loss and lowered costs. Advancements in thin-film manufacturing, such as roll-to-roll deposition, also improve efficiency and scalability and reduce production costs.

What role do governments and private sectors play in advancing PV technology?

Governments have implemented various supportive measures, including renewable energy targets, net metering, research funding, and regional policies (US's Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act) to create a favorable environment for PV innovation and investment. The private sector has played a significant part in driving advancements through research and development efforts.

How are environmental considerations influencing the development of new PV technologies?

SDGs and the Paris Agreement's net-zero targets are pushing the development of new PV technologies, driven by the need for sustainability and reduced carbon emissions.

Conclusion

The future of photovoltaic technology is promising, with innovations such as perovskites and 3D printing leading the way toward more cost-efficient and sustainable energy solutions.

With the combined efforts of researchers, policymakers, and the private sector, photovoltaics can play a defining role in mitigating climate change and transitioning to a sustainable global energy system.

References and Further Reading

1. Marques Lameirinhas, R. A., Torres, J. P. N., & de Melo Cunha, J. P. (2022). A photovoltaic technology review: History, fundamentals and applications. Energies, 15(5), 1823. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15051823
2. Pastuszak, J., & Węgierek, P. (2022). Photovoltaic cell generations and current research directions for their development. Materials, 15(16), 5542. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15165542
3. Huang, S. (2021). Grand challenges and opportunities in photovoltaic materials and devices. Frontiers in Photonics, 2, 651766. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphot.2021.651766
4. Panagoda, L. P. S. S., Sandeepa, R. A. H. T., Perera, W. A. V. T., Sandunika, D. M. I., Siriwardhana, S. M. G. T., Alwis, M. K. S. D., & Dilka, S. H. S. Advancements In Photovoltaic (Pv) Technology for Solar Energy Generation. https://www.jrte.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Advancements-In-Photovoltaic-Pv-Technology-for-Solar-Energy-Generation.pdf
5. Kakoulaki, G., Sanchez, R. G., Amillo, A. G., Szabó, S., De Felice, M., Farinosi, F., ... & Jaeger-Waldau, A. (2023). Benefits of pairing floating solar photovoltaics with hydropower reservoirs in Europe. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 171, 112989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112989
6. Barron-Gafford, G. A., Pavao-Zuckerman, M. A., Minor, R. L., Sutter, L. F., Barnett-Moreno, I., Blackett, D. T., ... & Macknick, J. E. (2019). Agrivoltaics provide mutual benefits across the food–energy–water nexus in drylands. Nature Sustainability, 2(9), 848-855. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0364-5
7. European Commision. (2024). Solar energy-Reducing the EU's dependence on fossil fuels, solar energy plays a key role in both the clean energy transition and the REPowerEU plan. https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/renewable-energy/solar-energy_en
8. US Dept of Energy. (2024). Homeowner's Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics. https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-federal-tax-credit-solar-photovoltaics
9. The American Public Power Association. (2024). The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. https://www.publicpower.org/policy/public-utility-regulatory-policies-act-1978
10. Choudhary, P., & Srivastava, R. K. (2019). Sustainability perspectives-a review for solar photovoltaic trends and growth opportunities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 227, 589-612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.107
11. Li, Y., Huang, X., Ding, K., Sheriff Jr, H. K., Ye, L., Liu, H., ... & Forrest, S. R. (2021). Non-fullerene acceptor organic photovoltaics with intrinsic operational lifetimes over 30 years. Nature communications, 12(1), 5419. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25718-w
12. Bati, A. S., Sutanto, A. A., Hao, M., Batmunkh, M., Yamauchi, Y., Wang, L., ... & Shapter, J. G. (2021). Cesium-doped Ti3C2Tx MXene for efficient and thermally stable perovskite solar cells. Cell Reports Physical Science, 2(10). http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3891059
13. IEA. (2024). Massive expansion of renewable power opens door to achieving global tripling goal set at COP28. https://www.iea.org/news/massive-expansion-of-renewable-power-opens-door-to-achieving-global-tripling-goal-set-at-cop28
14. Patrick Jowett. (2024). WoodMac predicts strong yet flat global PV growth through to 2032. https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/01/24/woodmac-predicts-strong-yet-flat-global-pv-growth-through-to-2032/ ​​​​​​

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.