Issue 7, 2016

Computer calculations across time and length scales in photovoltaic solar cells

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells convert solar energy to electricity through a cascade of microscopic processes spanning over 10 order of magnitudes of time and length. PV conversion involves a complex interplay of photons, charge carriers, and excited states. Processes following light absorption include generation of charge carriers or excitons, exciton dissociation over nanometer lengths and subpicosecond times, and carrier transport over ns–ms times and nm–mm lengths. Computer calculations have become an indispensable tool to understand and engineer solar cells across length and time scales. In this article, we examine the microscopic processes underlying PV conversion and review state-of-the-art computational methods to study PV solar cells. Recent developments and future research challenges are outlined.

Graphical abstract: Computer calculations across time and length scales in photovoltaic solar cells

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
06 Apr 2016
Accepted
05 May 2016
First published
05 May 2016

Energy Environ. Sci., 2016,9, 2197-2218

Computer calculations across time and length scales in photovoltaic solar cells

M. Bernardi and J. C. Grossman, Energy Environ. Sci., 2016, 9, 2197 DOI: 10.1039/C6EE01010E

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