Global energy demand and environmental concerns are the driving force for use of alternative, sustainable, and clean energy sources. Solar energy is the inexhaustible and CO2-emission-free energy source worldwide. The Sun provides 1.4 � 10 5 TW power as received on the surface of the Earth and about 3.6 � 10 4 TW of this power is usable. In 2012, world power consumption was 17 TW, which is less than 3.6 � 10 4 TW. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are the basic element for converting solar energy into electricity. PV cell technologies, energy conversion efficiency, economic analysis, energy policies, environmental impact, various applications, prospects, and progress have been comprehensively reviewed and presented in this paper. This work compiles the latest literature (i.e. journal articles, conference proceedings, and reports, among others) on PV power generation, economic analysis, environmental impact, and policies to increase public awareness. From the review, it was found that PV is an easy way to capture solar energy where PV based power generation has also rapidly increased.

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Global Prospects, Progress, Policies and Environmental Impact of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation

Metal complex sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has matured to become a technically viable large-scale source of sustainable energy. Understanding the rooftop PV potential is critical for utility planning, accommodating grid capacity, deploying financing schemes and formulating future adaptive energy policies. This paper merges the capabilities of geographic information systems and object-based image recognition to determine the available rooftop area for PV deployment in an example large-scale region in south eastern Ontario. An innovative five-step procedure has been developed for estimating total rooftop PV potential which involves geographical division of the region; sampling using the Feature Analyst extraction software; extrapolation using roof area-population relationships; reduction for shading, other uses and orientation; and conversion to power and energy outputs. A relationship across the region was found between roof area and population of 70.0 m2/capita ± 6.2%. For this region with appropriate roof tops covered with commercial solar cells the potential PV peak power output is 5.74 GW (157% of the region’s peak power demands) and the potential annual energy production is 6909 Gwh (5% of Ontario’s total annual demand). This suggests that 30% of Ontario’s demand can be met with province-wide rooftop PV deployment. This new understanding of roof area distribution and potential PV outputs has an immense significance to energy policy formulation in Ontario and the methodology developed here is transferable in other regions to assist in solar PV deployment.

Quantifying Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Potential for Regional Renewable Energy Policy

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Quantifying rooftop solar photovoltaic potential for regional renewable energy policy

Design of molecular dyes for application in photoelectrochemical and electrochromic devices based on nanocrystalline metal oxide semiconductors

This paper reviews the present status of research, development and manufacturing for photovoltaics (PV) in Japan based on the Japanese New Sunshine Program conducted by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). In particular, the status of research and development on high-efficiency and low-cost crystalline silicon, thin-film silicon and Group II–VI compound solar cells and modules, and super high-efficiency Group III–V compound solar cells, is presented. In addition, Japanese government programs to promote solar houses, wherein 18,000 PV systems were installed on Japanese houses in 1999, are also demonstrated. Future prospects for PV technologies, such as silicon material, thin-film and module technologies, concentrator systems and new application fields, are discussed.

Masafumi Yamaguchi

Papers

Present status and prospects of photovoltaic technologies in Japan