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Photovoltaic Behavior of Junctions

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Thin Film Solar Cells

Abstract

As noted in Chapter 2, a generalized photovoltaic device is composed of three functional elements, namely, an absorber, a junction region or converter, and a collector. A description of the basic physical processes that may occur in the absorber/generator was given in Chapter 2. In this chapter, we focus our attention on the converter/junction region. Our main interest is to gain a clear perception of the physics underlying solar cell operation. Throughout the text, therefore, the emphasis will be on a qualitative discussion of the physical effects, rather than on quantitative derivations. Accordingly, except in specific cases, we shall present only the final equations and refer the reader to the appropriate literature for the rigorous theory.

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Chopra, K.L., Das, S.R. (1983). Photovoltaic Behavior of Junctions. In: Thin Film Solar Cells. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0418-8_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0418-8_3

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