Harvesting Sunshine
From Photovoltaics to the Thermodynamics of Light
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Product details:
- Publisher OUP Oxford
- Date of Publication 1 May 2026
- ISBN 9780198909224
- Binding Hardback
- No. of pages208 pages
- Size 246x189 mm
- Language English
- Illustrations 101 colour and black & white figures 700
Categories
Short description:
Harvesting Sunshine presents the solar cell as a multifaceted device that can be viewed as an electronic energy converter, an absorber and emitter of light, and a thermodynamic heat engine.
MoreLong description:
An accessible and pedagogical introduction to photovoltaics, Harvesting Sunshine presents the solar cell as a multifaceted device that can be viewed as an electronic energy converter, an absorber and emitter of light, and a thermodynamic heat engine, while also outlining its links with the most ancient of solar energy converters: photosynthesis. Beginning with a simple introduction to photovoltaics, suitable as a stand-alone basic primer, the text goes on to explain the solar cell operation in more detail, outlining the electrical characteristics linked to the balance and reciprocity between electrical currents across a semiconductor junction.
At a more fundamental level, the book then looks at the Shockley-Queisser limit and its physical foundations, underpinned by Kirchhoff's and Planck's radiation laws linked by photon recycling, moving the discussion into the realm of thermodynamics. A thermodynamic analysis of thermalization reveals an intimate link between the photovoltaic and thermoelectric energy conversion. A discussion of ultimate limits leads to the Landsberg efficiency, and provides a basis for exploring next-generation devices, such as multispectral converters and hot-carrier solar cells.
With focus on basic concepts, Harvesting Sunshine explains how solar cells work using simple calculations, illustrated by exercises. The book requires no specific prerequisites other than those acquired in most undergraduate courses in physics, chemistry, or engineering, and will be of interest to all students with an interest in delving deeper into the foundations of photovoltaics.
An up-to-date and novel look at solar photovoltaics, providing a convenient way into the subject.
Table of Contents:
Part I - Introduction
Photovoltaic energy conversion: a first look
Part II - Solar cell as an electronic power converter
Carriers, bands and junctions
Solar cell as a current generator
Semiconductor solar cells
Part III - Solar cell as an absorber and emitter of light
Photons, in a different light
The radiative balance
The Shockley-Queisser limit
Part IV - Solar cell as a heat engine
Heat, light and work
Thermodynamics of photovoltaic conversion
Part V - Solar energy conversion in photosynthesis
Photon capture: light harvesting
Energy storage: redox reactions and proton pump
Part VI - Epilogue: A challenge for the future
Converting the full solar spectrum
Appendix A - Blackbody vs. AM1.5 spectrum
Appendix B - The transport equations
Appendix C - Reciprocity of generation and recombination
Appendix D - Working with Gaussians
Appendix E - Black body thermodynamics
Appendix F - Photon thermodynamics, in more detail
Appendix G - Useful integrals
Appendix H - Hints on selected exercises
