Third-generation photovoltaic devices (or 3GPV) are solution-processed solar cells (SCs) based on organic materials, inorganic semiconductors, nanostructured materials, and hybrids. 3GPVs hold high potential in the renewable energy market given their high efficiency at lower production costs. “In just a decade, 3GPV has almost reached the same efficiency as that of 1GPV, which took it more than 50 years to reach!”
Currently, 92% of the solar market is composed of first generation photovoltaics or the solar cells that we almost see every day and what solar farms use.
Patent and non-patent publications have been growing for 3GPV for the past 10 years, with patent publications almost double that of 1G and 2G.
References:
1 Solar Markets Around the World. (n.d.). Retrieved April 05, 2017, from https://solarcellcentral.com/markets_page.html
2Research Cell Record Efficiency Chart (n.d.). Retrieved April 05, 2017, from https://www.nrel.gov/pv/assets/images/efficiency-chart.png
