[16a-304-1~5] Photovoltaic 4.0 - Next-generation renewable energy systems powered by high-efficiency, low-cost photovoltaics -

▲ [16a-304-1] Inroductory Talk

〇Masakazu Sugiyama¹ (1.Univ. Tokyo)

Keywords:photovoltaic, high efficiency, energy system

Photovoltaic cells have been developed following the generations: the 1^st generation of crystalline silicon, the 2^nd generation of thin-film, low-cost cells and the 3^rd generation of ultra-high-efficiency. Especially, multi-junction cells by III-V compound semiconductors already achieved an efficiency 46% and further ambitious target of 50% is pursued with novel concepts such as intermediate-band cells which functions under sunlight concentration, a mechanism to realize low electricity cost at the regions with high direct solar irradiance. In addition, recent research and development aim at the cells/modules realizing both high-efficiency (>30%) and low-cost which is competitive with silicon cells by innovative technologies combining ultra-thin-film III-V cells/modules and low-cost processing such as high-speed growth and the reuse of III-V substrates. Those modules can be used without substantial sunlight concentration and develop a new market even in the regions with significant sunlight scattering.The 4^th generation photovoltaic modules are on the track of such high-efficiency, low-cost development and yet with high-capacity energy storage/management systems. This new generation photovoltaic modules can be installed at a terawatt scale in the entire world without any burden to electricity grids, enabling us to construct low-carbon society.This symposium aims at an overview of the research trends above and the future perspective on the 4^th generation photovoltaic will be discussed.