Photovoltaic Cell Technologies

Abstract

The content which this chapter presents is intimately linked with photovoltaics. A set of general definitions regarding this subject is given. In addition, a general overview about the evolution and trends of PV technologies is also presented, in order to have an idea of how one could get to the present state of the art. To complete this chapter, an experimental development about an integrated PV cell, ranging from its electrical modeling to its layout, complemented with experimental results, is presented. To close this chapter, a study about the availability of light energy in an indoor environment is carried out, serving as the basis to size a PV array specifically designed and manufactured to operate in a scenario with such characteristics.