Solar materials current problems

Table 4. Some Current Problems with Solar Materials...

However, the last few years have also seen a growing awareness of the problems inherent in using the semiconductor-electrolyte interface as a means of solar-energy conversion. Very long-term stability may not be possible in aqueous electrolytes and no oxide material has been identified that has properties suitable for use as a photoanode in a photoelectrolysis cell. Highly efficient photovoltaic cells are known, both in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions, but it is far from clear that the additional engineering complexity, over and above that required for the dry p-n junction photovoltaic device, will ever allow the "wet photovoltaic cells to be competitive. These, and other problems, have led to something of a pause in the flood of papers on semiconductor electrochemistry in the last two years and the current review is therefore timely. I have tried to indicate what is, and is not, known at present and where future lines of development may lie. Individual semiconductors are not treated in detail, but it is hoped that most of the theoretical strands apparent in the last few years are discussed. 

Problem areas which are identified are the Interactions of a material with or Its response to the total environment photodegradation permeability/ adhesion surfaces and Interfaces thermomechanical behavior dust adhesion and abrasion resistance. Polymeric materials can play a key role In the future development of solar energy systems [1]. Polymers offer potentially lower costs, easier processing, lighter weight, and greater design flexibility than materials In current use. 

The optical elements of solar systems are Important applications for polymers. The use of polymers for optical elements will, however. Impose several unusual material requirements. Five examples of the current development of polymeric optical elements are considered below. Problems such as dirt accumulation and photodegradation, which are common to most optical elements, are considered In a later section. More conventional applications are then noted very briefly. 

Despite the question of how to solve the climate problem (in other words, how to avoid a further increase in atmospheric CO2) we have to find answers to where the energy will come from after the consumption of all fossil fuels. The answer is simple from renewable sources, among which direct solar radiation is surely the dominant source. Several conceptions have been developed over past decades and the newest one DESERTEC seems to overcome the loss of electric current over long-distance transportation. But none of these ideas solve two problems the storage of energy and the material substitution of carbon from fossil fuels (natural... 

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