Rev.Adv.Mater.Sci. (RAMS)
No 1, Vol. 34, 2013, pages 44-61

RECENT TRENDS ON NANOSTRUCTURES BASED
SOLAR ENERGY APPLICATIONS: A REVIEW

Suresh Sagadevan

Abstract

Nanostructure based solar energy is attracting significant attention as possible candidate for achieving drastic improvement in photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency. Although such solar energy expected to be more expensive, there is a growing need for the efficient and light-weight solar cells in aero-space and related industries. It is required to rule the energy sector when the breakeven of high performance is achieved and its cost becomes comparable with other energy sources. Various approaches have been intended to enhance the efficiency of solar cells. Applications of nanotechnology help us to solar devices more economically. Nanophotovoltaic cells are used to improve the efficiency to create effective systems for conversion cost, efficient solar energy storage systems or solar energy on a large scale. This paper reviews some of the current initiatives and critical issues on the improvement of solar cells based on nanostructures and nanodevices.

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