Abstract

Harnessing the Power of Photovoltaic Materials: The Future of Sustainable Energy

Author(s): Mohesh Jen

The increasing global demand for renewable energy sources has led to rapid advancements in photovoltaic (PV) materials research. Photovoltaic materials are the essential components of solar cells that directly convert sunlight into electricity. This abstract provides a concise overview of recent developments and the future prospects of PV materials. In recent years, extensive efforts have been made to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of photovoltaic technologies. Researchers have focused on a wide range of materials, including traditional silicon-based cells, as well as emerging thin-film, organic, and perovskite-based technologies. Each of these materials offers unique advantages and challenges, and the ongoing research seeks to optimize their performance and stability.Silicon, being the most established PV material, continues to dominate the market due to its reliability and efficiency. However, the cost of siliconbased cells remains a challenge, prompting scientists to explore alternative materials. Thinfilm technologies, such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), have shown promise as cost-effective solutions Their potential for lightweight, flexible, and scalable applications makes them suitable for various niche markets. Organic photovoltaic materials, based on organic polymers or small molecules, hold promise for low-cost, solution-processable solar cells. Their inherent flexibility and potential for transparent and flexible devices have garnered significant interest. Researchers continue to improve their efficiency and stability through innovative molecular engineering and device architectures. Perovskite solar cells have witnessed a remarkable rise in efficiency, surpassing many established technologies in a relatively short time. The tenable bandgap, ease of fabrication, and low-cost potential of perovskite materials have captured the attention of the scientific community.