Why is ZnO important in photovoltaic applications?

The ZnO acts as electron transport material, thereby it plays a major role in all the emerging third-generation PV devices. The ZnO thin films have manifold properties to make it interesting in photovoltaic applications.

Will ZnO-based PV devices be sustainable?

Further, the progress in achieving a cost-effective method of producing high quality ZnO with good reproducibility and the further development of a sustainable and environment friendly green method in this regard will definitely lead to socio-economic, efficient, and reliable ZnO-based PV devices in the near future.

How do photovoltaic cells produce maximum power?

In a photovoltaic cell, irrespective of solar cell technology (conventional silicon wafer based, or emerging solar cells), generally, the prime aim is to produce maximum power by (i) increasing I sc, (ii) increasing V oc, and (iii) minimizing the parasitic power loss (particularly R s and R sh) and hence, maximizing the F.F. [4, 5].

Can ZnO be used as an active layer in solar cells?

The interface in various solar cell designs using ZnO as an active layer or as supporting layer should be made more effective via further interface engineering. Such developments may lead to an improved PCE and device stability.

How has photovoltaic technology improved the environment?

In the past ten years, solar energy has been rapidly developed and widely applied in the photovoltaic markets. With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, consumers' willingness to install photovoltaic products has gradually increased, which not only improves the environment, but also promotes the progress of photovoltaic technology.

How is photovoltaic effect achieved?

The photovoltaic effect is achieved via the spectral sensitization of a wide bandgap (metal oxide) semiconductor such as TiO 2, ZnO, SnO 2, Nb 2 O 5, and WO 3 or some composites like Au–TiO 2, ZnO, Ag 2 O–ZnO [219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227].