The Research and Development of the Third Generation of Photovoltaic Modules

In order to make high efficiency and low cost solar cell modules, the concept of third generation of photovoltaic modules have been provided. The first generation solar cell: Crystal Si solar cell including single crystal and poly-crystal Si solar cell; The second generation solar cell: Thin film solar cell including Si base thin film, CIGS, CdTe and III-V thin films; The third generation solar cell is the future high efficiency and low cost solar cell modules, such as low cost quantum dots solar cell, Si base thin film tandem and triple cell modules, III-V solar cell on Si, HIT solar cell and nanotechnology with no vacuum technique such as printable technologies and etc. This paper reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of each generation of the solar cell modules and technologies and discussed the research and development of the third generation of photovoltaic modules including the detail technology developments.