IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v15y2022i5p1823-d761979.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Photovoltaic Technology Review: History, Fundamentals and Applications

Author

Listed:
  • Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
    Instituto de Telecomunicações, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • João Paulo N. Torres

    (Instituto de Telecomunicações, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
    Academia Militar/CINAMIL, Av. Conde Castro Guimarães, 2720-113 Amadora, Portugal)

  • João P. de Melo Cunha

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

Photovoltaic technology has become a huge industry, based on the enormous applications for solar cells. In the 19th century, when photoelectric experiences started to be conducted, it would be unexpected that these optoelectronic devices would act as an essential energy source, fighting the ecological footprint brought by non-renewable sources, since the industrial revolution. Renewable energy, where photovoltaic technology has an important role, is present in 3 out of 17 United Nations 2030 goals. However, this path cannot be taken without industry and research innovation. This article aims to review and summarise all the meaningful milestones from photovoltaics history. Additionally, an extended review of the advantages and disadvantages among different technologies is done. Photovoltaics fundamentals are also presented from the photoelectric effect on a p-n junction to the electrical performance characterisation and modelling. Cells’ performance under unusual conditions are summarised, such as due to temperature variation or shading. Finally, some applications are presented and some project feasibility indicators are analysed. Thus, the review presented in this article aims to clarify to readers noteworthy milestones in photovoltaics history, summarise its fundamentals and remarkable applications to catch the attention of new researchers for this interesting field.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas & João Paulo N. Torres & João P. de Melo Cunha, 2022. "A Photovoltaic Technology Review: History, Fundamentals and Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-44, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:5:p:1823-:d:761979
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/5/1823/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/5/1823/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. João Paulo N. Torres & Carlos A. F. Fernandes & João Gomes & Bonfiglio Luc & Giovinazzo Carine & Olle Olsson & P. J. Costa Branco, 2018. "Effect of Reflector Geometry in the Annual Received Radiation of Low Concentration Photovoltaic Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Chandel, S.S. & Agarwal, Tanya, 2017. "Review of cooling techniques using phase change materials for enhancing efficiency of photovoltaic power systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1342-1351.
    3. John F. Geisz & Ryan M. France & Kevin L. Schulte & Myles A. Steiner & Andrew G. Norman & Harvey L. Guthrey & Matthew R. Young & Tao Song & Thomas Moriarty, 2020. "Six-junction III–V solar cells with 47.1% conversion efficiency under 143 Suns concentration," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 5(4), pages 326-335, April.
    4. Tiago Alves & João Paulo N. Torres & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas & Carlos A. F. Fernandes, 2021. "Different Techniques to Mitigate Partial Shading in Photovoltaic Panels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-25, June.
    5. Carolina dos Santos Castilho & João Paulo N. Torres & Carlos A. Ferreira Fernandes & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas, 2021. "Study on the Implementation of a Solar Photovoltaic System with Self-Consumption in an Educational Building," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.
    6. Marina Monteiro Lunardi & Juan Pablo Alvarez-Gaitan & Jose I. Bilbao & Richard Corkish, 2018. "A Review of Recycling Processes for Photovoltaic Modules," Chapters, in: Beddiaf Zaidi (ed.), Solar Panels and Photovoltaic Materials, IntechOpen.
    7. M. Mottakin & K. Sobayel & Dilip Sarkar & Hend Alkhammash & Sami Alharthi & Kuaanan Techato & Md. Shahiduzzaman & Nowshad Amin & Kamaruzzaman Sopian & Md. Akhtaruzzaman, 2021. "Design and Modelling of Eco-Friendly CH 3 NH 3 SnI 3 -Based Perovskite Solar Cells with Suitable Transport Layers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-16, November.
    8. Peng, Jinqing & Lu, Lin & Yang, Hongxing, 2013. "Review on life cycle assessment of energy payback and greenhouse gas emission of solar photovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 255-274.
    9. Catarina Sofia Campos & João Paulo N. Torres & João F. P. Fernandes, 2019. "Effects of the Heat Transfer Fluid Selection on the Efficiency of a Hybrid Concentrated Photovoltaic and Thermal Collector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-12, May.
    10. Kevin A. Bush & Axel F. Palmstrom & Zhengshan J. Yu & Mathieu Boccard & Rongrong Cheacharoen & Jonathan P. Mailoa & David P. McMeekin & Robert L. Z. Hoye & Colin D. Bailie & Tomas Leijtens & Ian Mariu, 2017. "23.6%-efficient monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells with improved stability," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(4), pages 1-7, April.
    11. Pereira, Ricardo & Aelenei, Laura, 2019. "Optimization assessment of the energy performance of a BIPV/T-PCM system using Genetic Algorithms," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 157-166.
    12. Siecker, J. & Kusakana, K. & Numbi, B.P., 2017. "A review of solar photovoltaic systems cooling technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 192-203.
    13. Aelenei, Daniel & Lopes, Rui Amaral & Aelenei, Laura & Gonçalves, Helder, 2019. "Investigating the potential for energy flexibility in an office building with a vertical BIPV and a PV roof system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 189-197.
    14. Dewei Zhao & Yue Yu & Changlei Wang & Weiqiang Liao & Niraj Shrestha & Corey R. Grice & Alexander J. Cimaroli & Lei Guan & Randy J. Ellingson & Kai Zhu & Xingzhong Zhao & Ren-Gen Xiong & Yanfa Yan, 2017. "Low-bandgap mixed tin–lead iodide perovskite absorbers with long carrier lifetimes for all-perovskite tandem solar cells," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(4), pages 1-7, April.
    15. Joana Engana Carmo & João Paulo Neto Torres & Gonçalo Cruz & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas, 2021. "Effect of the Inclusion of Photovoltaic Solar Panels in the Autonomy of UAV Time of Flight," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-19, February.
    16. Papargyri, Lamprini & Theristis, Marios & Kubicek, Bernhard & Krametz, Thomas & Mayr, Christoph & Papanastasiou, Panos & Georghiou, George E., 2020. "Modelling and experimental investigations of microcracks in crystalline silicon photovoltaics: A review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 2387-2408.
    17. Tiantian Zhang & Meng Wang & Hongxing Yang, 2018. "A Review of the Energy Performance and Life-Cycle Assessment of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-34, November.
    18. Rakeshkumar Mahto & Deepak Sharma & Reshma John & Chandrasekhar Putcha, 2021. "Agrivoltaics: A Climate-Smart Agriculture Approach for Indian Farmers," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-28, November.
    19. Rui Castro & Miguel Silva, 2021. "Experimental and Theoretical Validation of One Diode and Three Parameters–Based PV Models," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-25, April.
    20. Neves, Diana & Silva, Carlos A., 2014. "Modeling the impact of integrating solar thermal systems and heat pumps for domestic hot water in electric systems – The case study of Corvo Island," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 113-124.
    21. Martina Pelle & Elena Lucchi & Laura Maturi & Alexander Astigarraga & Francesco Causone, 2020. "Coloured BIPV Technologies: Methodological and Experimental Assessment for Architecturally Sensitive Areas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-21, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Bernardo Gonçalves & João F. P. Fernandes & João Paulo N. Torres & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas, 2023. "Experimental Investigation and Modelling of Sediments Effect on the Performance of Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaic Panels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Yousef Alharbi & Ahmed Darwish & Xiandong Ma, 2023. "A Comprehensive Review of Distributed MPPT for Grid-Tied PV Systems at the Sub-Module Level," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-23, July.
    3. João Paulo N. Torres & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas & Catarina P. Correia V. Bernardo & Helena Isabel Veiga & Pedro Mendonça dos Santos, 2023. "A Discrete Electrical Model for Photovoltaic Solar Cells—d1MxP," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-14, February.
    4. João Paulo N. Torres & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas & Catarina Pinho Correia Valério Bernardo & Sofia Lima Martins & Pedro Mendonça dos Santos & Helena Isabel Veiga & Maria João Marques Martins & Pa, 2023. "Analysis of Different Third-Generation Solar Cells Using the Discrete Electrical Model d1MxP," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-12, April.
    5. Hamoud Alafnan & Xiaoze Pei & Diaa-Eldin A. Mansour & Moanis Khedr & Wenjuan Song & Ibrahim Alsaleh & Abdullah Albaker & Mansoor Alturki & Xianwu Zeng, 2023. "Impact of Copper Stabilizer Thickness on SFCL Performance with PV-Based DC Systems Using a Multilayer Thermoelectric Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-15, April.
    6. Andrzej Ożadowicz & Gabriela Walczyk, 2023. "Energy Performance and Control Strategy for Dynamic Façade with Perovskite PV Panels—Technical Analysis and Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-23, April.
    7. Abid Ali & Maïté Volatier & Maxime Darnon, 2023. "Optimal Sizing and Assessment of Standalone Photovoltaic Systems for Community Health Centers in Mali," Post-Print hal-04210722, HAL.
    8. João Paulo N. Torres & Ana Sofia De Jesus & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas, 2022. "How to Improve an Offshore Wind Station," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, July.
    9. Małgorzata Jastrzębska, 2022. "Installation’s Conception in the Field of Renewable Energy Sources for the Needs of the Silesian Botanical Garden," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-28, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Khan, Firoz & Rezgui, Béchir Dridi & Khan, Mohd Taukeer & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad, 2022. "Perovskite-based tandem solar cells: Device architecture, stability, and economic perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    2. Skandalos, Nikolaos & Wang, Meng & Kapsalis, Vasileios & D'Agostino, Delia & Parker, Danny & Bhuvad, Sushant Suresh & Udayraj, & Peng, Jinqing & Karamanis, Dimitris, 2022. "Building PV integration according to regional climate conditions: BIPV regional adaptability extending Köppen-Geiger climate classification against urban and climate-related temperature increases," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    3. João Paulo N. Torres & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas & Catarina Pinho Correia Valério Bernardo & Sofia Lima Martins & Pedro Mendonça dos Santos & Helena Isabel Veiga & Maria João Marques Martins & Pa, 2023. "Analysis of Different Third-Generation Solar Cells Using the Discrete Electrical Model d1MxP," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-12, April.
    4. Catarina Pinho Correia Valério Bernardo & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas & João Paulo Neto Torres & António Baptista, 2023. "The Shading Influence on the Economic Viability of a Real Photovoltaic System Project," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-17, March.
    5. Aleksandra Ziemińska-Stolarska & Monika Pietrzak & Ireneusz Zbiciński, 2021. "Application of LCA to Determine Environmental Impact of Concentrated Photovoltaic Solar Panels—State-of-the-Art," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-20, May.
    6. Zhang, Wei & Zhao, Oufan & Xie, Lingzhi & Li, Zihao & Wu, Xin & Zhong, Jianmei & Zeng, Xiding & Zou, Ruiwen, 2023. "Factors influence analysis and life cycle assessment of innovative bifacial photovoltaic applied on building facade," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    7. Chelsea Schelly & Don Lee & Elise Matz & Joshua M. Pearce, 2021. "Applying a Relationally and Socially Embedded Decision Framework to Solar Photovoltaic Adoption: A Conceptual Exploration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, January.
    8. Joana Engana Carmo & João Paulo Neto Torres & Gonçalo Cruz & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas, 2021. "Effect of the Inclusion of Photovoltaic Solar Panels in the Autonomy of UAV Time of Flight," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-19, February.
    9. Bernardo Gonçalves & João F. P. Fernandes & João Paulo N. Torres & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas, 2023. "Experimental Investigation and Modelling of Sediments Effect on the Performance of Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaic Panels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-17, June.
    10. Liu, Yanfeng & Chen, Yingya & Wang, Dengjia & Liu, Jingrui & Luo, Xi & Wang, Yingying & Liu, Huaican & Liu, Jiaping, 2021. "Experimental and numerical analyses of parameter optimization of photovoltaic cooling system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(PA).
    11. Parisi, M.L. & Maranghi, S. & Vesce, L. & Sinicropi, A. & Di Carlo, A. & Basosi, R., 2020. "Prospective life cycle assessment of third-generation photovoltaics at the pre-industrial scale: A long-term scenario approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    12. João Paulo N. Torres & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas & Catarina P. Correia V. Bernardo & Helena Isabel Veiga & Pedro Mendonça dos Santos, 2023. "A Discrete Electrical Model for Photovoltaic Solar Cells—d1MxP," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-14, February.
    13. Reza Khalifeeh & Hameed Alrashidi & Nazmi Sellami & Tapas Mallick & Walid Issa, 2021. "State-of-the-Art Review on the Energy Performance of Semi-Transparent Building Integrated Photovoltaic across a Range of Different Climatic and Environmental Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, June.
    14. Li, Peidu & Gao, Xiaoqing & Li, Zhenchao & Zhou, Xiyin, 2022. "Effect of the temperature difference between land and lake on photovoltaic power generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 86-95.
    15. Chee, A. Kuan-Way, 2023. "On current technology for light absorber materials used in highly efficient industrial solar cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    16. Vassiliades, C. & Agathokleous, R. & Barone, G. & Forzano, C. & Giuzio, G.F. & Palombo, A. & Buonomano, A. & Kalogirou, S., 2022. "Building integration of active solar energy systems: A review of geometrical and architectural characteristics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    17. Zhang, Chenyu & Wang, Ning & Xu, Hongtao & Fang, Yuan & Yang, Qiguo & Talkhoncheh, Fariborz Karimi, 2023. "Thermal management optimization of the photovoltaic cell by the phase change material combined with metal fins," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).
    18. Arkar, C. & Žižak, T. & Domjan, S. & Medved, S., 2020. "Dynamic parametric models for the holistic evaluation of semi-transparent photovoltaic/thermal façade with latent storage inserts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    19. Woo-Gyun Shin & Ju-Young Shin & Hye-Mi Hwang & Chi-Hong Park & Suk-Whan Ko, 2022. "Power Generation Prediction of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic System with Colored Modules Using Machine Learning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-17, April.
    20. Khencha Khadidja & Biara Ratiba Wided & Belmili Hocine, 2020. "Techno-economic study of BIPV in typical Sahara region in Algeria," Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, Alliance of Central-Eastern European Universities, vol. 9(1), pages 27-57, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:5:p:1823-:d:761979. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.