Growth of population, infrastructure and increased amenities are major contributors to the ever increasing demand of electricity. According to an estimate, electricity consumption may go up from present 20K Terawatt to 60K terawatt by 2040. At present a major portion of this is coming from fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. These sources, besides being exhaustible, cause lot of pollution endangering our environment and personal life. Ever increasing emission of carbon dioxide is the major cause of global warming. There is need to find alternate eco-friendly affordable energy sources. The solar photo-voltaics (PVs) give clean, green and renewable energy. With no moving parts, no heat generated and with little disposable waste it is the most preferred perennial energy source.
The higher cost of electricity from PVs has been one of the important impediments to its wider usage. Sustained research and development efforts across the world, particularly in Japan, Germany and USA, have led to increased efficiency and reduced cost to the level where technology can survive on its own without any subsidy. The 22% efficient commercial level Silicon PV panels just reported are an indicator towards this possibility in very near future.
Large grid, Off grid and Building Integrated PV panels are coming up fast world over. Following these market trends, it is estimated that the share of PV electricity will increase from about 1% at present to about 10% by 2040. The learning curve suggests that this trend will continue and by the end of the present century, more than 50% electricity needs will be met by solar energy. Annual PV production growth of 25-40% in recent years is the biggest attraction to industrialists, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to invest.
There is no doubt that the present Silicon based photovoltaic (PV) technology is time tested and it has made great strides in terms of increase in efficiency and its utilization. However, as silicon is being used widely in IC technology, signs of strain are appearing in meeting its demand. Following this, trends are emerging world over to find alternate materials, processes and device structures of desired characteristics to increase efficiency, lifetime and reduce cost. Thin films either of silicon, III-V, II-VI group materials, polymers, nano-particles/rods, quantum dots or their hybrids may be the ultimate winner.
To address these issues, the efforts are made through “The National Conference on the Emerging Trends in the Photovoltaic Energy Generation and Utilization” to bring together academicians, scientists, technologists working in universities, research institutes and industrial installations to share their work, knowledge and expertise for giving momentum to our national efforts in the field of PV technology.
