Introduction

Abstract

Energy and environment are two foremost areas of global crisis. The world’s energy demand is growing remarkably which is not only diminishing the reserve of fossil fuels, but also affecting the environment. In 2014, the global primary energy consumption was 12,928.4 million tons of oil equivalent (MTOE) which generates about 10,000 million tons of carbon during the burning of fossil fuels. It is more and more broadly recognized that renewable energy, especially solar energy, can offer effective solutions to these gigantic challenges. Now, renewable energy contributes around 3 % of the world’s energy needs. By the end of 2014, a total of 187.24 GW solar photovoltaic (PV) power capacity had been installed in the world. The annual installation of new PV systems rose from 47.60 GW in 2014 to 58.10 GW in 2015, and in 2010, it was only 17.06 GW. Up to 2014, about 1600 installations worldwide were PV power plants larger than 4 MW. Of which 60 plants in Spain and 50 in Germany generating an output of more than 10 MW. A 10 MW solar PV power plant may save about 15,000 tons of CO₂ emissions per annum. In order to push this emerging technology, more research is needed. The book provides a consistent compilation of fundamental theories, a compendium of current research and development activities in the field of solar PV technologies. In this chapter, the development of solar PV technologies is presented in the Preface section. This introductory chapter also presents the objectives and the organization of the whole book.