This talk will review the major areas of ongoing research in photovoltaics (PV). The talk will begin with a brief description of the standard methodologies used to characterize solar cell and array performance with an emphasis placed on highlighting the key areas for implementing proper measurement and data analysis in the laboratory. The talk will then touch on the major areas of PV research ongoing at present. These areas span basic research areas like quantum dot/well based solar cells and intermediate-band solar cells through applied research areas like integrated building PV and advanced concentrator array concepts. The presentation will attempt to give the audience a snapshot of the state-of-the-art of PV R&D thereby providing a basis for establishing new, high impact R&D efforts.
Dr. Walters received his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 1994. He has been performing research at the Naval Research Laboratory since 1991, and he is currently the Head of the Solid State Devices Branch. Dr. Walters’ research is focused on advanced photovoltaic materials and devices for space applications, and radiation effects in spacecraft electronics, and he is recognized internationally as an expert in the field of space environmental effects on photovoltaics. Dr. Walters is the Technical Program Chair for the 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference to be held in Philadelphia in June 2009.
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