Photovoltaic and Alternative Technologies for the Full Spectrum Harvesting

Abstract

Optical design concepts are rapidly expanding into the infrared energy band, offering new approaches to harvest waste heat, to reduce the thermal emission losses, and to achieve noncontact radiative cooling of solar cells as well as of optical and electronic circuitries. The interaction of light–matter allowed by nanophotonics and plasmonics underlie the performance of the third- and fourth-generation energy-conversion devices, including both up and down conversion of photon energy, near-field radiative energy transfer, and hot electron generation and harvesting. The increased market penetration of alternative solar energy-conversion technologies amplifies role of cost driven and environmental considerations.