by Jeff Yang
First published 2014
Jeff Yang finds himself at the center of a rapidly expanding photovoltaic industry where annual growth exceeds 40 percent. As a researcher working alongside industry leaders, startup entrepreneurs, and university scientists, Yang witnesses the fierce competition to develop better solar materials. He observes how advances in materials science drive down costs while boosting the efficiency and reliability of solar systems. Yang explores three generations of technology: established crystalline silicon cells, emerging thin films and concentrators, and experimental concepts that promise dramatically higher efficiency or lower costs. He studies silicon solar cells, examines thin-film polycrystalline materials, and evaluates new characterization methods. Throughout his journey, Yang grapples with the research challenges that stand between current capabilities and the full potential of solar technology. His work reveals how scientific breakthroughs translate into commercial success in an industry racing toward an energy transformation.
Genres: science, business, non-fiction, technology, engineering, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-journey, industry-competition
194 pages · Paperback · Cambridge University Press